Friday, February 11 2005 15:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As his force failed to make any headway in the S A R Geelani attack case, Delhi Police Commissioner K K Paul today (Feb 11, 2005) indicated that the delay in informing police about the incident had made investigations difficult.

"Police got information about the attack almost 45 minutes to one hour after it occurred ... there was a long delay. If this had not been so, maybe some things could have been found earlier," he told reporters in New Delhi after the inauguration of a new building of Connaught Place police station.

Police had been first informed about the incident at 22:10 hrs (IST) on Tuesday (Feb 8, 2005) by a constable posted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where Geelani was taken by his lawyer Nandita Haksar and her husband.

The lecturer, who was acquitted in the Parliament attack case, was shot outside Haksar's residence in Vasant Enclave.

Paul did not comment on the probe, saying, "Investigation is on and it is not right to comment before getting the report."

He dismissed allegations by some human rights activists that the police itself masterminded the attack. "Some things have been said about the police, but I can say with confidence that these are wrong."

A number of persons have been questioned by the Crime Branch, which is handling the case, as police try to trace Geelani movements on the day of the incident.

Though his condition is stated to be stable, police is yet to record his statement as doctors said he is not ready for the purpose.