'If He Is Guilty, Hang Him': Renuka Chowdhury On JNU Allegations
Congress Member of Parliament and former Union Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury addressed allegations against Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam following an internal inquiry committee report at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Defending the due process, Chowdhury stated, "If he's guilty, hang him. No one's going to protect him." She denied claims of selective outrage by the party, arguing that the outrage remains uniform and that allegations must undergo the established legal and judicial framework before action is taken. Furthermore, she raised concerns over the handling of the Ankita Bhandari case, demanding justice for women and questioning the actions of law enforcement authorities regarding the treatment of protesting families.
Delhi Police Question Congress MP in JNU Case, Politician Denies Charge as BJP Protests
Delhi Police questioned a Congress Member of Parliament from Manipur for one and a half hours in connection with a sexual harassment case before releasing him. The investigation follows a First Information Report registered on a complaint filed by Jawaharlal Nehru University officials after eleven students accused the lawmaker of sexual abuse. The parliamentarian denied the allegations, maintaining innocence, claiming the inquiry is a political witch hunt, and challenging the university's account of the inquiry process. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party women parliamentarians approached the Lok Sabha Speaker, and the party's women's wing submitted a plea to the National Commission for Women seeking action against the leader, while supporters in the home state termed the proceedings politically motivated.
Aryama Sundaram: 'That Is The Very End Of Separation Of Powers'
Senior Advocate Aryama Sundaram shared his perspective on opposition marches to the Supreme Court and the growing concern over the politicisation of the judiciary. He criticised litigants seeking prior private meetings with judges, terming it stunning and contrary to democratic norms. Addressing whether political disputes drag courts into political battles, Sundaram emphasized that judicial decisions must strictly adhere to the Constitution and statute regardless of collateral political fallout. He warned, "if a court gets politicized, I am sorry, but that is the very end of separation of powers. That's the very end of a democracy."
'Police Does Not Get To Decide My Fundamental Rights': Vrinda Grover
In an interview, Senior Advocate Vrinda Grover criticized police crackdowns and administrative restrictions on public demonstrations, asserting that executive actions are undermining democratic rights. Emphasizing the constitutional protection of citizens, she stated, "Police does not get to decide my fundamental rights." Grover raised serious concerns over police excesses, questioning why peaceful gatherings in places like Central Park and Connaught Place are barred under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Pointing to past incidents, including the firing of pellet guns, she argued that inquiry committees have failed to instill restraint among enforcement agencies. She highlighted that journalists and citizens are facing arbitrary curbs while exercising basic liberties. Urging the judiciary to actively intervene, Grover affirmed, "It is the Supreme Court's cardinal duty to safeguard our fundamental rights and to ensure that we enjoy our freedoms to the fullest and arbitrary exercise of power is restrained." She insisted that peaceful protesters must not be treated as threats to public order.