2 months after violence, police make first visit to Jamia for probe

Over two months after violence rocked the Jamia Millia Islamia campus in Delhi on December 15, a crime branch team of Delhi Police made its first visit to the university on Tuesday (February 18), officials said. Their visit comes following the emergence of several videos in connection with the violence.

The team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rajesh Deo visited the university’s library that was badly damaged during the alleged police action inside the campus last year, officials said, adding is for the first time that a police team is visiting the campus for investigation after the violence.

Members of the crime branch team analysed and videographed the extent of damage to the library. They also visited the proctor’s office, the officials said. The case is being probed by the crime branch.

Four videos have surfaced online of the incident, the latest being on Monday. In a video that emerged on Sunday, paramilitary and police personnel were seen thrashing students in the library. Two other videos, which appeared hours later, showed some youths with covered faces entering the library.

In the video that surfaced on Monday, police personnel were seen raining batons on students who were trying to escape. Women students were seen moving out while pleading with the police with their hands folded. It also showed one of the policemen breaking a security camera.

Related news: Delhi Police names Sharjeel Imam in Jamia violence charge sheet

On December 15, police had used batons and teargas shells to disperse a violent mob during a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. They entered the university campus, saying that rioters had taken shelter there. But, students had denied their involvement in the violence and alleged police brutality.

On Monday, a Delhi court directed the police to file a status report on whether it was investigating the officers who had allegedly barged into the campus and lathi-charged students.The court also sought an overall status report from the police on the ongoing investigation in the case related to the violence near the varsity during the protest.

(With inputs from agencies)