Metropolitan Magistrate J.P. Narain said: ``Application has failed to show any material to support this contention.'' He added that there was no allegation regarding the accused misbehaving with the police or creating trouble. The application was moved by Virender Singh, lock-up in-charge at the Patiala House courts. It stated that Sharma should be handcuffed because his alleged underworld associates were trying to help him escape by using ``automatic weapons''.

Defence counsel Ramesh Gupta submitted that his client was in no way a threat to the police personnel escorting him. The superintendent of Tihar Jail no. 2 submitted that adequate measures had been taken to ensure Sharma's safety while he was being brought to court. ``Accused is being sent to court by Delhi Armed Police van used for transporting high-risk prisoners,'' he said. The superintendent added that the DCP (3rd Battalion) had been asked to ensure the safety of Sharma in court.

The reply was a follow-up to an application moved by Sharma's counsel in the MM's court. The application stated: ``He fears physical harm in the lock-up. He has heard inmates uttering that they will cut his vein with blade and injure him''.