New Delhi: Against the backdrop of attacks on him at the Patiala House court complex here, Delhi Police today threw a tight security cordon around JNU Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar as he was released from high-security Tihar jail after three weeks’ incarceration.
After his release at around 6.30 PM, Kumar got inside an SUV which was arranged by his counsel, a source said.
While the car was secretly driven out via staff quarters in the backyard of the prison complex, three other vehicles, including an ambulance, were used as decoys with a posse of media personnel camped outside gate No.4 to cover the release of the JNUSU president.
Kumar, who is facing sedition charges, and those accompanying him were instructed to reach Hari Nagar police station near Tihar jail, from where he was provided with an escort comprising officials of Delhi Police’s West district.
Officials of South district later took over from their West district counterparts as Kumar reached the JNU campus safely, the source added.
Earlier in the day, police mounted heavy security outside the Jawaharlal Nehru University gates where a group was spotted protesting against the release of Kumar.
Kumar was attacked by a group of men at the Patiala House Court complex here when he was taken there on February 17.
Following the incident, the high court had come down hard on Delhi Police and said it will be answerable if any of the students arrested in connection with the case suffered even a scratch.
Apprehending “clashes” following Kumar’s release, police issued an ‘advisory’ to all district, traffic and PCR units asking them to maintain a strict vigil, especially in and around the JNU and Delhi University campuses.
“The advisory says that in case Kumar gets bail, there is a possibility he may visit places like Jantar Mantar, JNU and DU with a large number of his supporters, including students’ groups like AISF and AISA and members of some political parties,” a police source said today.
“It says that ABVP and other right wing groups, including some political leaders, may oppose such gatherings and there is a possibility of clashes among the groups.
“In view of the sensitivity and gravity of the matter, a sharp vigil by local police is recommended to avoid any untoward incident,” he said.
The advisory was first issued when police opposed Kumar’s bail plea in the high court. It was reissued yesterday, the source added.
Kumar, who was arrested on February 12 in connection with a sedition case over a controversial JNU event, was yesterday granted interim bail for six months by the Delhi High Court which said he has to cooperate in the ongoing investigation and appear before investigators as and when required.