Unprecedented security measures have been taken at the Tihar jail to ensure JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, facing the sedition charge, is not physically harmed inside the Asia’s largest prison in the national Capital.
Tihar Jail administration has also ensured that whenever Kanhaiya — lodged in Tihar jail’s most secured Ward number 4 — is taken to courts and brought back, nobody should know about it.
During that period of time the doors of all cells and prisons are closed to maintain secrecy about his movements, claimed sources.
Such are the stringent security measures that all inmates of Ward number 4 are locked when Kanhaiya is taken out of the cell. Standing instructions have been given to call the Quick Response Team (QRT) whenever the student leader is taken out of the ward.
Agencies have warned the Government about possible attack on Kumar inside Tihar.
After his one day’s police custody was over on Friday, Kanhaiya was again moved back to Tihar where Special Prison Staff and Tamil Nadu Special Police personnel were deployed outside his cell to ensure maximum security was provided to the JNUSU president who was recently thrashed by lawyers at the Patiala House Courts complex.
An order to this effect issued by the Tihar Superintendent said the door of Kanhaiya’s cell should be locked round-the-clock. It said, “Gate of the cell will be opened as and when required only in the presence of the Assistant Superintendent with prior permission of at least Deputy Superintendent. Prisoner Kanhaiya’s cell will be opened only after locking up all other prisoners of this ward…”
The order said whenever Kanhaiya is taken out of the ward he should be accompanied by the Deputy Superintendent on duty as well as the Assistant Superintendent, along with sufficient force and Quick Reaction Team. It said apart from the routine security, two constables and one warder shall be stationed round-the-clock in front of Kanhaiya’s cell.
In another order, issued by Additional Inspector General (Prisons) Mukesh Prasad, it said, “The food and eatables etc provided to the inmate shall be checked by the Medical Officer… Any other item provided to the inmate shall be thoroughly checked from security and safety point of view. No unauthorised person shall be allowed to meet the inmate.”
Also, the order said Kanhaiya should be visited twice a day by the Deputy Superintendents.
Also, the order suggested the exploration of possibility of video conferencing for production of Kanhaiya before the court. It said, “No inmate or unauthorised personnel be allowed near the inmate in order to prevent any physical assault or hurling of verbal abuse upon him… The Superintendent of CJ-3 shall sensitise inmates and prison staff in order to ensure safe custody of inmate Kanhaiya.”