The secret evidence about the “presence” of Maoists in the Osmania University did not impress the Supreme Court much when it was presented before a division Bench here on Friday. After rejecting the claims, the apex court sought an explanation from the state government why Greyhounds, the anti-naxal elite force, was deployed on the campus.
The case was heard by a Bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and A.K. Ganguly. Justice Singhvi said, “There are certain inputs that there are some sympathisers (of Maoists). Mere sympathy with X,Y,Z or some other persons will not make them criminals?”
Taking strong exception to the deployment of Greyhounds to deal with the agitation by the pro-Telangana students, Justice Singhvi asked the state government counsel, Mr Mukul Rohtagi, “If you say Greyhounds are deployed in this situation, will you deploy them when there is a political agitation?”
“The students were holding meetings there and expressing their views on an issue, you can’t prevent anyone from expressing their views,” the apex court observed.
The state’s lawyer acknowledged that the deployment of Greyhounds was not a wise decision and said the elite force had already been withdrawn.
But the court was not satisfied with a mere assurance by the state’s counsel and directed it to file an affidavit explaining the reasons why the anti-naxal force was at all sent inside the university.
Posting further hearing in the case to March 19, the court directed the government to submit its affidavit by March 9 and directed the three-member panel comprising home secretary, the Hyderabad police commissioner and the OU VC, to submit a status report on the situation in “sealed cover” by March 12.
The court, however, said that the state would be free to deploy its police force in the campus as per the requirement to maintain the law and order and ensure smooth conduct the exams.
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