Bassi justifies Kumar's arrest, no evidence of LeT link so far

Justifying the arrest of JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar, Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi today claimed that he had raised anti-national slogans during the controversial event in the campus but said police have so far found "no evidence linking the LeT" to the incident.

"Kanhaiya was present at the event, where he delivered a speech and participated in an unlawful assembly which indulged in anti-India sloganeering. It was because of his involvement, and the evidence we have collected so far, that he has been arrested under charge of sedition," Bassi told reporters here after meeting Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Twice the commissioner said that Kanhaiya was part of the event where anti-national slogans were raised. He said the congregation, organised against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, was anti-national and unlawful.

"Yes, he raised anti-national slogans," he said when pressed further on the issue. Bassi said that the speech he delivered at the event was highly objectionable.

When asked about alleged links between Kashmir militants and the JNU students who were suspected to be involved in the incident, Bassi said, "Kanhaiya's interrogation will be analysed for terror links and the police are looking for some other students who all went absconding after the incident but will soon be arrested."

He, however, said they have found "no evidence linking" the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to the JNU incident so far. "As and when it comes, it will shared with Home Ministry," he said.

The police chief added that during Kanhaiya's questioning investigators have gathered crucial information which will now be verified and processed.

On February 12, Jawaharla Nehru University's students' union President Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in a sedition case over an event at the varsity's campus against hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

Responding to questions about a video footage purportedly showing some students, who are allegedly of ABVP, shouting anti-India slogans in the same event, Bassi said, "As far as I am informed, ABVP students were protesting  against the conduct of the particular event. However, if anything comes up against them, they will have to face legal action too."