Assault on Kanhaiya appears to be pre-planned, says NHRC

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said that the assault on Jawaharlal Nehru University students' president Kanhaiya Kumar at the Patiala House Court complex on Wednesday appears to be "organised" and "pre-planned".

The NHRC alleged that the attack took place as there was major security lapse on part of the Delhi Police and there was serious dereliction of duty.

This has been revealed in an inquiry report submitted by a NHRC team, which visited the Tihar Jail and Kumar after taking suo motu cognisance of media reports on the court incident.

The commission said the student leader - who is facing sedition charges and is currently lodged at Tihar Jail - did not complain of any physical assault by the police while in custody. However, he was subjected to psychological pressure during interrogation.

The report also said the statement, which was issued by the police as an appeal on behalf of the JNU leader, was not written by him voluntarily and the content of the statement was dictated by the police.

The Human Rights body added that the Tihar Jail has made special arrangements to ensure safety and security of Kumar and he has no complaints against prison officials.

The Commission said the copy of the NHRC inquiry report has been forwarded to the Delhi Police Commissioner and Director General of Prisons, Tihar Jail, seeking their comments by February 26.