JNU row: No relief for Kanhaiya Kumar

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to hear the bail plea of JNU students’ union leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested on sedition charges for allegedly chanting “anti-national” slogans at an event in the university, at this stage.

The apex court transferred Kumar’s bail plea to Delhi high court, PTI reported.

Kumar’s lawyer said Delhi Police have not sought an extension of police remand for him.

Kumar had moved the apex court seeking bail on Thursday, claiming threat to his life in Tihar Jail, where he was sent on Wednesday in 14-day judicial custody. He was roughed up and chased away from the Patiala House



Court by agitating lawyers when he was taken there during the day.

Kumar said in his petition there was no need for his custodial interrogation as he has already been sent to judicial custody. He claimed his innocence and said no purpose would be served by keeping him in the jail as the police have been finding it difficult to produce him even in the court.

Kanhaiya was arrested on February 11 after police registered a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy against him. On February 12 he was remanded to police custody for three days. On February 17, the metropolitan magistrate sent him to 14 days judicial custody.