JNU Protest Case: Patiala House Court Grants Bail to All 14 Students

The Patiala House Court in Delhi has granted bail to all 14 students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who were arrested during a protest against the University Grants Commission (UGC). The Delhi Police produced the students before the court and sought their judicial custody, alleging that the protest had turned violent. However, after hearing the arguments from both the prosecution and the defense, the court ordered the release of all the accused students. The case pertains to the recent demonstrations held near the JNU campus, which saw intense confrontations between the students and security forces.

Delhi Police Allegations of Violence and Clashes

During the court proceedings, the Delhi Police maintained a firm stance, arguing that the demonstration was far from peaceful. According to police officials, the protesters took the law into their own hands and engaged in violent clashes with security personnel. The police informed the court that several officers sustained injuries during the scuffle. It was further alleged that the protesters intentionally obstructed government officials from performing their duties. According to the police report, the students attempted to break through barricades and resorted to stone-pelting, forcing the authorities to use necessary force to maintain order.

Request for Judicial Custody and Investigation Needs

The Delhi Police formally requested the Patiala House Court to send all 14 accused to judicial custody. The prosecution argued that the custody of the accused was essential to carry forward the investigation impartially and to prevent any potential tampering with evidence. The police submitted that the violence during the protest might have been part of a pre-planned strategy, and detailed interrogation was necessary to uncover the underlying motives. Despite these submissions, the court observed that the grounds provided weren't sufficient to deny bail to the students at this stage of the legal process.

Submission Regarding Previous FIRs and Conduct

The Delhi Police also raised concerns regarding the past conduct of the arrested students. The court was informed that several of the accused had been involved in similar incidents of force and violence during previous protests. According to police records, 4 separate FIRs had already been registered against these individuals in the past. The police argued that given their history of repeated legal violations and disruption of public order, the accused shouldn't be granted immediate relief. These prior cases were cited to demonstrate a pattern of behavior that the police claimed posed a risk to public peace.

Background of the UGC Policy Protests at JNU

The unrest stems from student opposition to certain new policies introduced by the UGC and decisions made by the JNU administration. Student organizations allege that these new regulations limit access to higher education and infringe upon the rights of the student community. In response to these grievances, a large number of students marched in protest. While the protesters maintained that they intended to conduct a peaceful march to voice their demands, they alleged that the police used excessive force to stop them, while defense counsel argued in court that protesting is a democratic right and that the charges leveled by the police were exaggerated.

Court Proceedings and Final Bail Order

After considering the arguments from both sides, the Patiala House Court delivered its order, while the court noted that keeping the accused in jail at this juncture wasn't required for the progress of the case. Consequently, bail was granted to all 14 students with the condition that they cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The court also emphasized that the students must refrain from participating in any violent activities in the future, while following the order, the students were released from custody, while the Delhi Police indicated that they would continue their investigation and proceed toward filing a formal chargesheet in the matter.