Book Geelani, Arundhati, says Delhi court (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI - Rejecting a Delhi Police clean chit, a city court Saturday ordered registration of an FIR against Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, writer-activist Arundhati Roy and five others for alleged anti-India speeches at a seminar here Oct 21.

“The Delhi Police are hereby directed to lodge an FIR (first information report) 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.

The court said that it “was not satisfied” with Delhi Police’s explanation for not registering an FIR against Geelani, Roy and the other speakers.

The court rejected a police status report that no offence relating to sedition and other charges was made out against Geelani and others.

The others against whom the FIR is to be registered include Delhi University professor S.A.R. Geelani, who was acquitted in the 2001 parliament attack case, Jammu and Kashmir University professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain, writer Varavara Rao, Association for Protection of Democratic Rights activist Sujato Bhadra and writer Shuddhabrata Sengupta.

Sushil Pandit, complainant and member of Roots in Kashmir organisation, filed a complaint Oct 28 at Tilak Marg police station against Geelani, Roy and others, and demanded that an FIR be registered against them for their alleged anti-India speeches at a seminar “Azadi - the only Way”.

Geelani, Roy and their fellow speakers voiced their opinions in favour of Kashmir’s separation from India at the conference, the petitioner alleged.

“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 of Roots in Kashmir.

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