JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was Wednesday night taken to Tihar Jail and kept in a separate cell, following which authorities have sounded a high security alert inside the prison complex, and are keeping a round-the-clock watch for the safety of the student leader facing sedition charges.
"Kanhaiya who was brought to Tihar at around 8 pm has been lodged in a separate cell of ward number 4 of jail number 3. Two Tamil Nadu Special Police personnel have been deputed to keep a round-the-clock watch over him and ensure his safety," said a senior Tihar official.
"In view of the prevailing tension over sedition charges being faced by Kanhaiya, maximum vigil will be maintained and a high security alert has been sounded to ensure all the precautions and measures are taken to prevent any untoward incident," the official said.
"We are also taking steps to thwart any attempt to harm him from within or outside the jail," the official added.
Journalists take out a protest march from Press Club to Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh on Wednesday against the attacks on mediapersons in Delhi. PTI Photo
Earlier in the day, Kanhaiya was attacked in the Patiala House Court complex while being produced for remand proceedings. Doctors found "minor" abrasions on his face and legs.
A two-member team of doctors from R M L Hospital conducted the medical check-up on Kanhaiya at the court premises following an order by metropolitan magistrate Lovleen after he was attacked.
"According to the team, there were only minor abrasions on his face and both the legs. There were no major injuries," said hospital sources.
The 28-year-old JNUSU President was attacked by a group of lawyers when he was being brought to the Patiala House court.
Lawyers shout slogans at Patiala House Courts where Kanhaiya Kumar was being produced in New Delhi on Wednesday. PTI Photo by Atul Yadav
Kanhaiya, who has been booked under sedition charge in connection with an event at JNU where anti-national slogans were allegedly raised last week, was arrested by Delhi Police on February 12.
He was remanded in judicial custody today till March 2.
Protesting over the arrest of Kanhaiya and demanding his release, students of JNU are on strike, bringing academic activities on the prestigious campus to virtually a standstill.