Himalayan News Service

New Delhi, February 12:

Teachers at the Delhi University observed a shutdown today to protest an assault on fellow professor SAR Geelani.

They have also called for a high-level judicial inquiry into the incident.

“There is a compete shutdown in the university as decided by the general body of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association yesterday.”

“The association decided to hold a one-day strike to protest the murderous attack on Geelani,” said Vijay Singh, an executive member of the association.

Geelani, a professor in Zakir Hussain College, was allegedly shot on Tuesday by unidentified assailants in front of his lawyer Nandita Haksar’s residence in Vasant Enclave.

Geelani, had earlier been sentenced to death for the December 2001 terror attack on Parliament House.

He was later acquitted of the charges. But he and his family complained of constant police harassment even after the acquittal.

“We are also protesting against the lawlessness, which has been increasing these days,” SN Mishra, another member of the association said.

The teachers have demanded an independent high-level judicial inquiry into the incident, and staff in Geelani’s college are insisting that the victim’s family be paid Rs1 million as compensation for harassment.

Geelani was arrested with three others shortly after five alleged Pakistani terrorists attacked the Parliament House on December 13, 2001, killing nine people. The attackers were killed.

A lower court here awarded capital punishment to Geelani and two others, but the Delhi High Court acquitted the teacher in October 2003.

The acquittal was challenged by the Delhi police in the Supreme Court in December 2003.