Naxal presence in OU: SC to hear AP plea today

Supreme Court Justice GS Singhvi hearing the Andhra Pradesh Government's appeal to retain forces on Osmania University campus was on Thursday not available to take up the arguments as the judge was on leave for the day. 

The Supreme Court's 11th court bench comprising Justice Singhvi and Justice A.K Ganguly, which was hearing the case on Thursday posted the case to Friday (Feb 26) as Justice Singhvi was not available to record the arguments. 

According to sources, the apex court had directed the Andhra Pradesh Government to furnish ''secret evidence'' on the basis of its intelligence reports to corroborate the contention that Maoists have intruded into the Osmania University campus. 

Senior advocates Harish Salve and Mukul Rohtagi who are representing the State Government in the case were supposed to produce concrete evidence of Maoist presence on the campus by Feb 25 to justify retention of the forces. 

Advocate Prasant Bhushan is arguing for the students. 

The bench also extended till Feb 25 the stay imposed on the AP High Court order directing withdrawal of the paramilitary forces from the university campus.