JNU Row: SC to Hear Plea Seeking Contempt Against Lawyers

The plea also sought a direction to set up a Special Investigation Team to probe the incidents of the attacks.

Vikram Singh Chauhan allegedly led the attacks on the JNU students and journalists outside Patiala House Courts. (Photo altered by The Quint). 

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea seeking contempt action against three lawyers who were allegedly caught on camera “bragging and boasting” that they had beaten up JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar and others, including journalists, in a court complex.

The hearing is scheduled for 26 February.

The plea, which was filed in the apex court on Wednesday, also sought a direction to set up a Special Investigation Team to probe the incidents of violent attacks on some journalists, students, teachers, defence lawyers and Kanhaiya on 15 February and 17 February by some advocates in the premises of Patiala House courts here during the hearing of the sedition case involving the JNUSU leader.

The plea was filed in pursuance of an oral observation by a bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar, which is hearing the matters arising out of violence in the trial court premises in the JNU case, that the allegations are fresh ones and hence, a fresh petition is required to be filed.

It has sought “suo motu contempt proceeding” against lawyers Vikram Singh Chauhan, Yashpal Singh and Om Sharma on the ground that they have allegedly been caught on camera talking about the attacks.

JNU students on protest. (Photo: AP)

It alleged that the lawyers have interfered in the “administration of justice” and willfully violated the orders passed by the apex court on 17 February.

The plea also alleged that contempt of court has been committed by certain lawyers, including these three, and there was complete inaction on the part of Delhi Police “which has been exposed by the report dated 18 February, of 5 senior advocates appointed as court commissioners by this court”.

The petition which also makes Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police as parties, has said facts have come to light that there was “blatant violation of the rule of law” in the trial court premises.

The plea has also referred to the report of the National Human Rights Commission as well the sting operation of a news channel on the issue.

The apex court had on 23 February agreed to consider a plea seeking contempt action against the three lawyers after it was mentioned by lawyer Prashant Bhushan before the bench.

Meanwhile, Chauhan who was the lawyer who allegedly led the attacks, was arrested and released on bail on Wednesday.