Police Harassment Charge: No relief to JU student, HC says ‘probe to go on’

On Monday, a section of students from JU moved a petition in the Calcutta High Court alleging harassment by police personnel. The counsel of the petitioners had submitted in court that the police are repeatedly issuing summons to some students of the university citing investigation into the March 1 protests. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh had granted permission for the matter to be filed.

The petitioner, Uddipan Kundu, in his complaint had stated that the police is harassing him under the guise of investigation, repeatedly summoning him and demanding that he hand over his mobile phone.

His counsel, Shamim Ahmed, submitted that, “The mobile is a personal device. It contains a lot of personal information. There is an objection to making them public.”

While the counsel alleged that how could a student be treated like this, he also pointed out that the Supreme Court has also identified mobile phones as personal devices.

Justice Ghosh, after hearing the arguments said, “Your client’s name is in the FIR. He is an accused. In this situation, the court will not interfere in any way. Even if the accused named in the FIR is a student, granting any relief will send a bad message.”

However, the judge asked the police to ensure that the students get their mobile phones back and do not have to buy new phones.

The court has asked both the parties to submit the affidavits.

The case will be heard again in April.