Security stepped up for judge who quit after Mecca Masjid blast verdict

The security of the special judge for NIA cases, who acquitted five persons including right-wing activist Swami Aseemanand in the Mecca Masjid blast case, has been enhanced, the police said today.

K Ravinder Reddy, the special Judge for NIA cases and Fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge, tendered his resignation yesterday citing "personal reasons", hours after pronouncing the verdict in the 2007 case.

"In the wake of yesterday's verdict, the security arrangements at his residence have been enhanced with deployment of additional personnel," a senior police official told PTI.

The enhanced security arrangements will be in place for some time, he said.

"...there is no specific alert, but following the verdict, security has been stepped up around his house since yesterday itself," the official said.

The official declined to divulge any detail on how many personnel were deployed for his security.