JNU violence: Student groups file cross-FIRs, cops say probe underway

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Monday said that two FIRs have been registered on the complaints received from both the student groups a day after the meat row on campus.

This comes a day after the Left student bodies and the ABVP clashed at the Jawaharlal Nehru University's Kaveri Hostel allegedly over non-vegetarian food being served in a hostel mess and alleged disruption of Ram Navami puja.

Police also said that they have received 20 medico-legal cases so far from the students injured in the violence.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Manoj C said that they received a complaint early Monday morning from a group of students who are members of JNUSU, SFI, DSF and AISA against unknown ABVP students.

"Accordingly, we have a registered an FIR under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

Further investigation is on to collect factual or scientific evidence and identify the culprits," he said.

The complaint stated, "At 3.45 pm on 10th April, the ABVP students assaulted the meat vendor who brought chicken for dinner at Kaveri hostel and when two members of the mess committee tried to intervene, then they were assaulted as well.

The complainants also accused the police of not taking any action even when several women students were "given death threats and abused in sexual terms in front of police personnel".

The police said that another FIR was registered on the complaint received Monday afternoon from a group of students who are members of ABVP against unknown JNUSU, SFI, and DSF students.

"Based on the complaint, we have registered an FIR under sections 323, 341, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code," the DCP said, adding that further investigation is on to collect factual and scientific evidence and identify the culprits.

Statements of around 10 students have been recorded while those of other students who were either victims or witnesses to the violence will be taken as per the procedure for further investigation, he said.

All the CCTV footage and purported videos made by students and others will also be scanned and analysed to ascertain the identity of those involved, police said, adding that the majority of complaints were received from ABVP.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Monday alleged that students from Left-backed outfits wanted to disrupt a Ram Navami puja, and are using diversionary tactics by raising the issue of serving non-vegetarian food.

However, the JNUSU has accused the ABVP of "orchestrating the incident and unleashing violence in the name of food".