High Court rejects plea for NIA probe into JNU sedition case

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a writ petition seeking directions for probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the sedition case registered against JNU Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar in connection with an event against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

Rejecting the petition filed by Lucknow-based lawyer Ranjana Agnihotri, the Bench of Justice Manmohan said it was “premature”, as the investigation by Delhi Police could not be faulted so soon. There was no reason to assume that the Delhi Police were incompetent to handle the case, said the court.

The petitioner had sought



transfer of probe to NIA with the contention that the police were not properly investigating the case, which involved different aspects of raising of slogans during the February 9 event and continuing protests by students.

The Bench, expressing confidence in the competence of Delhi Police, observed that the Union Government had powers to take suo motu action under the NIA Act, 2008, should it find it fit to do so.

Kanhaiya Kumar has been in police custody since February 12, after he was arrested under Section 124-A (sedition) of Indian Penal Code on charges of organising and supporting the controversial event in JNU.