Police will have to drop sedition charges against Kanhaiya if there is no solid evidence: MHA Official

NEW DELHI: The charges of sedition levelled against Kanhaiya Kumar will have to be dropped if there is no “solid evidence” that he was shouting anti-India slogans, a senior home ministry official said, in what may become a blow to the Delhi Police which is facing flak over the arrest of the JNU student leader.

In a recent communication to the home ministry, the Delhi Police informed that the audio in the footage on the alleged incident received by them was of poor quality and that they have sought forensic opinion on it. ET was the first to report on Wednesday that the police were comparing the voice sample of Kumar and that a forensic result was awaited.

The police also informed the ministry that they have written to news channels for the recordings of the event inside the JNU campus on February 9 and a reply was awaited. Hours after the Centre’s directions, police commissioner BS Bassi said: "If Kumar applies for bail, then police will not object to it. I personally feel a young person...perhaps be given bail."

The top cop earlier claimed that the police have evidence of Kumar’s involvement in anti-India sloganeering. Top government sources also said if the Delhi Police were unable to find evidence proving sedition, they would have to water-down the charges at the time of filing the charge-sheet.

"Delhi Police informed us that so far they have examined only one video footage of the event where the audio is not clear," said the ministry official.

The ministry also took cognisance of the incident where a group of lawyers allegedly assaulted Kumar inside the Patiala House court premises on Wednesday. Home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said: "I have spoken to the Delhi Police commissioner and asked him to send a detailed report on the Patiala court incident today itself." Bassi however denied reports that Kumar was beaten up, and maintained that he was "jostled" due to a jam-packed courtroom.

The commissioner said Kumar has issued a statement saying that he has faith in the Constitution of India and referred to the objectionable antinational slogans. Bassi clarified later that the purpose behind releasing the statement was to discourage other JNU students from indulging in such activities.

"I have told the government counsel to tell the Supreme Court that Kanhaiya before appearing in the Patiala House Court has made the appeal. DCP (South) is releasing the statement on Twitter for wider reach," Bassi added.