The family of Prof Abdul Rehman Geelani, an accused in last year’s Parliament attack, is hopeful he would be acquitted by the Delhi High Court when the case comes up for hearing again on December 16. The Delhi University lecturer and three others, facing a year-long detention, are challenging their alleged involvement in the attack.Rehman’s mother Syeeda Shahzada said she believes in democracy. Syeeda, who has also pleaded her son’s innocence in a written appeal to the Prime Minister, reiterated that Rehman cannot resort to violence.A resident of Baramulla township, Rehman, a scholar of Arabic, taught at the Delhi University’s Zakir Hussain College. He was picked up by Delhi police on December 14 along with two other Kashmiris in connection with the Parliament attack and was lodged in Tihar jail.‘‘My son is a scholar of Arabic and it is beyond my imagination that he would be involved in the attack,’’ she said, adding ‘‘I repeat that he was framed.’’Rehman’s brother Shah Faisal said: ‘‘There was a big group of intellectuals in Delhi that brushed off the conspiracy theory. Only one of the 100-odd people who deposed alleges he was involved in the attack, the rest have said he is innocent.’’The Geelani household, headed by 96-year-old Moulvi Habibullah, is respected in the township. They have played a vital role in social and religious reforms in the north Kashmir district. In fact, they are credited with spreading education and setting up institutions in the pre- and post-1947 era.During the past year, the family has also had to keep their followers from demonstrating against Rehman’s ‘‘framing’’. ‘‘We believe justice will be done. So what if it is late. We have told people not to disturb the tranquillity of the area,’’ said a relative.Fifteen kilometres from Geelanis’ residence is Dobgah village. Here lives the family of Showkat Ahmad Guru, another Parliament attack accused. Showkat’s mother Aisha said the family has suffered a lot but she feels that may change soon. ‘‘He (Showkat) has given us a tearful year. He would listen to no one but I am sure he is not involved. We want him free so that he can come back to the family,’’ she said.
