Why Not Go To High Court?’ Supreme Court Asks Kanhaiya Kumar On Bail Request
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today 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.
Instead, the apex court transferred Kumar’s bail plea to Delhi high court.
Gold Rate
Wednesday 12 March 2025
The reasoning put forth by the Supreme Court for its refusal of hearing the Bail application is that ” it would set a wrong precedent”. The message would be sent out that ‘no court in Delhi is competent enough’. It would not be right for Supreme Court therefore to get involved “at this stage.”
This is surprising considering that even the high level committee of lawyers appointed by Supreme Court on Wednesday has sent an adverse report of the happenings at Patiala court.
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.
In his application, Kanhaiya Kumar had sought protection of “life and limb”, saying there is “great likelihood of an attack on him in prison” and said there was a need for the apex court to intervene.
