New Delhi: Former Delhi University (DU) professor SAR Gilani, who was arrested on sedition charges for allegedly organising an event at the Press Club of India, was today sent to 14 days of judicial custody.
According to some media reports, Gilani wasn't cooperating with the Delhi Police during his two-day police custody ordered yesterday.
Today, Gilani was to appear in the Patiala house court. However, due to security reasons the proceedings took place in the office of Additional DCP, Diplomatic Security Force at ChankyaPuri.
His bail plea is to be heard tomorrow in court.
On the other hand, it is learnt that the ex-DU professor has confessed to have organised the event to mark the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
Earlier, Gilani was produced before Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh, where the police sought his custodial interrogation for two days to identify those involved in raising anti-India slogans.
"Police investigation is integral part of investigation and the accused has said that he can identify those who raised anti-India slogans... Since he (Gilani) was the convener of the meeting, therefore, the case of grant of police custody is made out," the court said.
The police told the court that an event was held on February 10 in which banners were placed showing Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat as martyrs and anti-national slogans along with slogans demanding independence for Kashmir were raised.
It also said the hall in the club was booked by Gilani through one person Ali Javed by using his credit card and another person Mudassar was also involved.
The police told the court that it has also accessed a CCTV footage in which some unidentified persons were seen shouting slogans and Gilani was required for the purpose of their identification.
Advocate Satish Tamta, appearing for Gilani, opposed the police custody saying he was only the convenor and the event was open for all.
"If people have come and shouted slogans, I am not responsible. I cannot get anyone arrested as I don't recognise anybody. It was an open entry and not restricted by any invitation card. Whatever I know I have told them already since I was in custody for past one day. Besides this, every other information is available in public domain. There is no need for my custody," Tamta said.
Gilani's case comes amid a raging row over the arrest of JNU Students' Union President Kanhaiya Kumar over sedition charges in connection with an event at the varsity campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru on February 9.
(With PTI inputs)
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