Kanhaiya Kumar subjected to 'psychological pressure' during interrogation: NHRC

New Delhi : A delegation of the National Human Rights Commission visited the Tihar Jail on Friday to inquire into the condition of JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested on sedition charges for allegedly raising anti-national slogans and formed a report which stated that Kumar had been subjected to psychological pressure' during his interrogation by the Delhi Police while in custody.

The report also alleges that the 'official statement' which was issued by the police as an appeal on behalf of Kanhaiya was not written by him voluntarily and that the content, construction and framework of the statement were as dictated by the police.

According to the inquiry report by the NHRC, Tihar has made special arrangements to ensure safety and security of Kanhaiya inside the prison and he has been kept in an independent and separate cell.

Dedicated security staff has been deployed to ensure his safety and security round the clock and several security instructions have been issued by the prison authorities in this regard.

"According to Kanhaiya Kumar, he was arrested without any valid reason and without disclosing to him even grounds of arrest. He had not committed any offences as now alleged. However, this aspect is under investigation by the police. Kumar did not complain of any physical assault by the police while in custody. However, he was subjected to psychological pressure during interrogation," the NHRC reports said.

The report further stated that Kanhaiya was abused and physically assaulted by some persons dressed as advocates in the Patiala House court premises on Wednesday and he was even physically assaulted inside the adjoining court room in the presence of police, who did not do anything to prevent the assault or apprehend the attackers, even though they were identified by Kanhaiya Kumar then and there.

"The physical assault on Sh. Kumar in the court premises appears to be organized and pre- planned. What happened in the Patiala House Court Complex on 17th February was a major security lapse on the part of the police. There was serious dereliction of duty on the part of the police. Going by the sequence of events, the safety and security of Kanhaiya and his family members is a serious cause of concern," the report stated.