Court acknowledges importance of the issue when it was mentioned how journalists, JNU students and teachers were thrashed under police watch.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on urgent basis a petition seeking “access to free and fair access to justice” to JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar and police protection of teachers and journalists who were beaten up in a Delhi court premises.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur acknowledged the importance and public interest attached to the issue when senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned how journalists and JNU students and teachers were thrashed as police watched on without interfering.

The petition, filed by JNU alumni N.D. Jayaprakash, also represented by advocate Devadutt Kamat, said atmosphere in the court premises should not be of fear.

It said the court should be allowed to conduct a fair hearing on the sedition chares against Mr. Kumar.

It said the Delhi Police, who are also party in the petition, should be directed to protect JNU students, teachers and journalists who come to either watch or cover the proceedings.

The hearing happened even as a large contingent of journalists from various media houses expressed solidarity and marched to the Supreme Court protesting against the violence on Monday at the Patiala House Courts premises.