FIR against Kanhaiya based on video footage

The FIR against JNU Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar was filed on the basis of footage from a Hindi news channel despite several policemen being witness to the event where he “anti-national” slogans were raised.

“We also obtained several clips from students and the university’s security staff, but the clip from the TV channel proved most useful for the FIR,” said a police officer. The footage was used by the TV channel on February 10, but it was undated. 

It is alleged that Kumar was among a group of students who raised anti-national slogans at the campus on February 9.

The police had approached Zee News after receiving a written complaint on the event from BJP MP Maheish Girri. He had also mentioned the TV channel in his complaint.

A letter was then sent to the news channel’s editor by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Prem Nath. 

The editor responded and sent the footage in a CD on February 11.

A call was also made to the police control room from the spot on February 9. Three policemen — head constable Rambir and constables Karambir and Dharambir — were then sent to the spot in plainclothes. A team from the PCR had also reached the spot.

According to the FIR, the footage shows that around 100 students raised anti-national at the event. Police have also obtained posters of the event. 

One of the posters said: “Collective conscience against the judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat, in solidarity with the valiant people of Kashmir.”