JNU violence: SC rejects plea for SIT probe, contempt action
New Delhi: The Supreme Court today dismissed a plea seeking an SIT probe into the February 2016 violence inside a trial court here during which former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and others were assaulted, saying it would not "flog a dead horse back to life".
A bench comprising Justices Ranjan Gogoi and R Banumathi did not accept the contentions advocating contempt action against the police officials and others for the incident which was described as "ghastly action" by the petitioner.
"What ghastly action," the bench asked advocate Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for petitioner and advocate Kamini Jaiswal.
Bhushan referred to the February 15 and 17, 2016 incidents of attacks on Kanhaiya, scribes, students, JNU teachers and defence lawyers inside the Patiala House district court premises here.
"We do not think of proceeding further. There is no need for an SIT (special investigation team)," the bench said.
To this, the lawyer said if no action is taken, then it might encourage people to do such acts.
"We will not proceed. We do not think we will flog a dead horse back to life. If you have grievances, you can take appropriate steps. You can lodge an FIR," the bench said.
"We find no reason to continue to entertain the present writ petition any further. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," the top court said.
"Needless to say that the present order does not prevent the petitioner from taking appropriate action in accordance with law, if so advised. We have expressed no opinion on merit," it said in the order.
Senior advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha, appearing for Delhi Police, did not have to labour hard to oppose the plea.
The petitioner had sought initiation of contempt action against police officials and others for their alleged failure in protecting Kanhaiya from being assaulted inside the court.
The apex court had earlier questioned the police over the presence of some unsolicited persons in black robes in the courtroom where the then JNUSU leader was purportedly assaulted before being produced in connection with an alleged sedition case.
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Karnataka approves railway barricades in Madikeri, Nagarhole to curb human-elephant conflict
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said a 7-km railway barricade has been approved for the Madikeri division and 20 km for the Nagarhole division in 2025–26 to curb human-elephant conflict in the regions.
Responding to a proposal raised by BJP MLC Suja Kushalappa during Zero Hour in the Legislative Council, he assured that work on the proposed railway barricades would begin soon.
Citing the death of a 17-year-old girl in an elephant attack on February 28 and that of a tribal woman on March 9 in the state, the minister said these deaths caused by elephant attacks were "extremely painful".
"Human life is very precious and cannot be valued in monetary terms. The Forest Department is taking all measures to prevent human-wildlife conflict."
The minister further said steps such as maintenance of elephant-proof trenches and solar-powered fencing were being undertaken, while two elephant task forces were currently in operation.
Orders have also been issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden to capture two rogue elephants.
In both cases, Rs 5 lakh compensation has already been disbursed to the families of the deceased, and the remaining Rs 15 lakh each will be provided within a week, he added.
Khandre said the government was making sincere efforts to find a permanent solution to the human–elephant conflict.
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