Two FIRs filed over assault in court

Two FIRs were registered on Tuesday by the Delhi police against unnamed persons in connection with the attack by groups of lawyers on journalists and JNU students and teachers at the Patiala House court on Monday.

“The FIRs have been registered against unnamed persons under relevant sections of the IPC,” DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said, adding, the police had registered both the cases taking suo motu cognisance of the entire episode.

Several complaints were received by the police at the three different police stations in New Delhi district over the incident.

The first case specifically relates to the scuffle that took place inside the premises of the court and the second was registered for the scuffle between BJP MLA O.P. Sharma and CPI activist Ameeque Jamai outside the gate of the court.

Facing criticism over inaction of police personnel posted in and outside the court on Monday, Delhi police commissioner B.S. Bassi on Tuesday said the negligence by the police will be probed and legal action will be taken against the guilty.

Asked why the policemen present at the Patiala House court did not intervene when groups of lawyers assaulted journalists and JNU teachers and students, Mr Bassi only said the issue pertains to people from “two different lines of thought” confronting each other in a charged environment.

When pressed, he said, “In the investigation, we will also probe whether there was any negligence on part of any police personnel.”

Mr Bassi, on Monday, had termed the assault as a “minor” incident, saying it was fallout of an emotive issue, comments which evoked strong reaction from the journalists and the Jawaharlal Nehru University students.

Asked why Mr Sharma was not booked when he was caught on camera assaulting a man, Mr B.S. Bassi said, “Whoever is found guilty during investigation, will have to face legal action.”