The Jaipur police on Tuesday questioned Jaipur Literature Festival producer Sanjoy Roy in connection with an FIR against sociologist Ashis Nandy and him. “We have completed the first round of questioning with Roy and if needed, he will be questioned again,” said a senior police officer. The police also summoned Mr Ashis Nandy. “We have sent summons to him and it will be served any time,” says the Jaipur police officer.
According to sources, the police questioned Mr Roy about Mr Nandy’s remarks on caste groups. The additional commissioner of police , Biju George Joseph, confirmed the investigation. “Yes, we have questioned him. If any other issue crops up during the investigation, the police will summon him again,” he added. The police is also going to examine the video footage with the help of forensic experts. The tapes are already in the possession of the police.
The festival organisers have made it clear that they will cooperate with the police. “We will abide by laws and will help in the investigations,” said Mr Roy. The police sources said that the police will wait for Mr Nandy after serving the summons. “We will give him a reasonable time to appear before the police, if he fails to do so, we will send a team,” said a senior police officer.
The police is also going to record complainant Rajpal Meena’s statement. Mr Meena, who leads SC/ST Manch, had lodged an FIR against Mr Nandy last Saturday after the sociologist made the controversial remarks.