Ensure Kanhaiya’s safety: SC tells Delhi top cop

After JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar was attacked inside the Patiala Court premises on Wednesday while he was being produced for the hearing, the Supreme Court has asked Delhi Police chief to take personal responsibility of Kanhaiya while he is taken out of the court premises.

Following SC’s directions, Kanhaiya was kept inside the court premises for almost three hours even after the orders were issued to sent him to judicial custody. 

He was taken to Tihar Jail at around 7 pm as police force was busy in dispersing huge gatherings of lawyers who were in a mood to harm Kanhaiya. 

A medical report that was conducted after Kanhaiya was attacked in the court premises suggests injuries on his neck and legs. Meanwhile, the Apex Court has decided to take up the Patiala Court violence issue on Thursday.

Soon after the SC order, Delhi Police chief B S Bassi asked Deepak Mishra, Special CP (DG Scale) to ensure Kanhaiya’s safe exit from the court premises to Tihar Jail. Further, Deepak Mishra has asked Mukesh Kumar Meena, Joint  CP (New Delhi Range) and R S Krishnia, Joint CP (South-Eastern) to go to the spot immediately. 

Prem Nath, DCP (South) and Jatin Narwal, DCP (New Delhi) were already on the spot. Further, S N Shrivastava, Special CP, Armed Police, was also informed to remain alert while taking him to Tihar in the jail van.

Meanwhile, DCP South has written a letter to the Jail authorities to provide extra security as there is a serious threat that Kanhaiya might be attacked in the prison premises.

Sources in Tihar Jail said: “Kanhaiya will be placed independently inside jail number 3, a high security ward. One PST staff and one jail staffer will be deployed 24x7 to ensure that no one attacks him.”

The official added: “Extra police personnel have been deployed especially in the outer periphery which is close to the Jail’s medical room facility, kitchen.” 

Sources added: “One Quick Reaction Team comprising 12 policemen will be stationed all the time outside the jail premises in case of an emergency situation.” 

“Since a lot has been heard and shown in the media regarding Kanhaiya, other prisoners are aware about his arrest and the sedition charges that have been slapped on him. CCTV cameras within the premises of jail number 3 too have been installed to monitor his movements,” said Mukesh Prasad, PRO Tihar Prisons.