JNU sedition case: SC transfers Kanhaiya Kumar's bail plea to HC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to hear the bail plea of JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and asked him to approach the high court.

Kanhaiya has been charged with sedition under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code for alleged anti-India slogans raised during a university debate. He is now in judicial custody in Tihar Jail.

His lawyer, Raju Ramachandran, said he was not needed by police any more, and apprehended threat to his life and liberty, given the simmering situation in the lower courts. It is an extraordinary case, he said.

But Justice Jasti Chelameswar and Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre said it would send a signal that lower courts are incapable of dealing with security concerns of litigants and encourage all high-profile accused to come to the top out directly for bail.

Kanhaiya's lawyers said they would move the high court later in the day.