JNU row: Early call on Bhim Sain Bassi successor prompted by cop's inaction

NEW DELHI: The security lapse at Patiala House Court on Wednesday and ‘overall mishandling’ of the JNU protest expedited the announcement of Alok Kumar Verma as the next commissioner of Delhi Police even as incumbent Bhim Sain Bassi was busy preparing for the raising-day celebrations.

It took less than two hours for the home ministry to process Verma’s appointment once home minister Rajnath Singh gave the nod, said officials, who added that they had expected Bassi to handle the JNU row better. “We could have waited till February 29 for the announcement of the name but after the public outrage on the JNU incident and ruckus inside the court premises for the second time, it was necessary for North Block to send out a signal for the top brass of the Delhi Police.”

After the Centre’s ‘active intervention,’ the police also softened its stand on Kanhaiya Kumar, who approached the SC for bail. MHA officials feel the police went overboard with sedition charges, particularly against Kumar. For the record, the Delhi Police clarified that Verma’s appointment had nothing to do with the JNU incident and the process of appointing Bassi’s successor was on for a while. However, a senior home ministry official said: “The police should have anticipated the buildup and made arrangements for the security of the person in its custody.”