A Delhi court on Thursday sought a response from the Prisons DG on a plea seeking a department enquiry into former JNU student leader Umar Khalid, arrested in a case related to larger conspiracy during Delhi riots, being produced in handcuffs. According to law, an accused cannot be put in handcuffs without specific order in this regard.

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat also issued directions to send a copy of the order to the commissioner of police who may file a report after an inquiry by a responsible senior officer on whether Khalid was brought in handcuffs on Thursday and, if so, on what orders. The court passed the order on an application moved by Khalid`s counsel, seeking departmental enquiry "into the arbitrary and illegal production of the applicant in handcuffs/fetters on February 17".