Book Arundhati, Geelani for anti-India speeches: Delhi Court

NEW DELHI - A city court Saturday ordered Delhi Police to register an FIR against Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani, writer-activist Arundhati Roy and five others for making ‘anti-India’ speeches during a seminar here Oct 21.

“The Delhi Police are hereby directed to lodge an FIR under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and file a report in this regard on Jan 6, 2011, the next date of hearing,” Metropolitan Magistrate Navita Kumari Bagha said.

Rejecting Delhi Police’s status report before the court that no offence relating to sedition and other charges was made out against Geelani and others, the court said there were “prima facie cogent evidence” against the accused, and asked the police to further investigate the allegations and file a compliance report.

Sushil Pandit, the complainant in the case, had Oct 28 filed a complaint at Tilak Marg police station against Arundhati Roy, Geelani and others, and demanded that a First Information Report be registered for their alleged anti-India speeces at a seminar titled ‘Azadi - the only Way’ here.

“We’re happy with the court’s decision and look forward to results of the investigation by Delhi Police,” said Aditya Raj Koul, an activist.

Counsel Vikas Padora argued that “the accused have ignited feelings of hatred, contempt and disaffection among people towards the government of India”.

According to an order by Patiala House district court, the others against whom the FIR is to be registered include Delhi University professor S.A.R. Geelani, who was acquitted in 2001 parliament attack case, and Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a professor of the Jammu and Kashmir University.

The Patiala House court directed Delhi Police to file status report by Jan 6, 2011, in the case.

–Indo Asian News Service