Tuesday, February 22 2005 12:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Almost a fortnight after the murderous assault on S A R Geelani, Delhi Police yesterday (Feb 21, 2005) announced a reward for any information leading to the Delhi University lecturer's attacker, a virtual admission that it had failed to make any headway in the high-profile case.

The reward of Rs 50,000, announced by Police Commissioner K K Paul, can be claimed by anyone who provides clues or help leading to the attacker within the next year, a police spokesman said.

The announcement comes amid repeated unsuccessful efforts of police to prepare a portrait of the assailant based on Geelani's description.

However, no sketch has been released so far as investigators felt the one developed after quizzing Geelani for almost a week was "too general" to be of any help.

When asked about the delay in release of the sketch, Paul told reporters at a function that "proceedings are going on".

Police sources said that the description of the attacker given by Geelani was not too helpful and a sketch may eventually not be released at all.

With a second deadline set by the Supreme Court to file a report on the case just a day away, the Crime Branch continued to look for clues or information, which could help in cracking the case. In this regard, Geelani's associates and colleagues, besides others were questioned by the police.

Geelani, meanwhile, was recuperating at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he was admitted after the attack on him outside the house of his lawyer Nandita Haksar in Vasant Enclave on February 8.