(PTI - File Photo)
Delhi Police is "verifying" all video clips which it has used in the probe into the sedition case registered over the controversial JNU event, Commissioner B S Bassi said on Monday hours after briefing Lt Governor Najeeb Jung about the entire row and return of five students in the campus.
"We always verify whatever footage we use in a probe. The footages in our possession have been sent for verification," Bassi told reporters when asked about 'doctored videos' doing rounds in media and authenticity of the ones which police have probed.
The police chief met Jung this afternoon and briefed him about the JNU row over which the city police drew severe criticism from several quarters for its handling of related events.
A senior officer said that the subject of discussion between Jung and Bassi revolved around the five JNU students, including Umar Khalid, who are facing sedition charges and resurfaced in the varsity campus on Sunday night.
The police had been looking for all the five students since February 12, the day JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in the sedition case. Bassi is learnt to have told Jung that the final call about the matter is to be taken by the investigating officer.
Asked whether the police have sufficient evidence against Khalid, Bassi said, "we have strong evidence in the sedition case. The arrest will be done only on the ground of evidence."
"Provide evidence and prove your innocence"
Responding to questions on whether the police will enter the JNU premises to arrest the accused, Bassi said that it is DCP (South) Prem Nath, heading the probe, who will take a decision. Earlier in the day, Bassi said if the students were innocent, they should produce evidence.
"Police are looking for them, they should join the investigation. If they are innocent, they should produce evidence of their innocence.
"Delhi Police is a law-abiding body and we do not indulge in any injustice against anybody. One should also remember that the police comes first in the ladder of justice," he told reporters.
The JNU administration called a meeting of top varsity officials today to discuss the future course of action but no decision could be reached. The JNU Teachers' Association have also submitted a memorandum consisting of four demands, including not allowing police on campus, which the varsity's Vice Chancellor is deliberating on.
The police have landed in an apparent dilemma as the five students have refused to surrender and asked the police to come to the campus to arrest them, a police official privy to the investigation said adding that no search and arrest operation is likely to happen at this point without the authority's approval.