Fearing attack, Geelani produced secretly before Magistrate

In order to prevent any untoward incident on Thursday as there was a threat that former DU professor SAR Geelani might be attacked by the lawyers or civilians, he was produced secretly in front of a magistrate in Chanakyapuri following which he was sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Delhi Police came fully prepared with more than 150 police personnel apart from the local police who guarded the Diplomatic Security Force office behind the Chankyapuri police station where Geelani was produced and then taken to Tihar Jail in a police van.

Facing criticism from various quarters for not providing sufficient protection to JNUSU leader Kanhaiya Kumar inside and around the Patiala House Courts complex where he was roughed up by lawyers on Monday as well as on Wednesday, Delhi Police sought orders of the Magistrate of the Patiala Courts to secretly hold the trial with the former professor at the DSF office in Chanakyapuri. He left the office at 4 pm amidst tight security.

Mediapersons gathered outside the DSF office waiting to get a glimpse of Geelani who has been charged with sedition in connection with an event held on February 10 at Press Club where some people allegedly shouted anti-national slogans.

Around 200 additional police force was called in at the backside of the Chanakyapuri police station who were clad in bulletproof jackets, helmets, armed with lathis and also with cane shields.

After being secretly produced at the DSF office, a police van carrying Geelani headed towards the Tihar Jail. A day after Kanhaiya Kumar was placed inside jail number 3, a high security independent ward allotted to him with facilities like newspapers and books, Tihar officials made similar security arrangements for Geelani. Souces said that Geelani is likely to be placed in jail number one and similar measures like those which were provided for Kumar will be ensured for Geelani with PST staff and one QRT van stationed round-the-clock within the jail premises.