How Afzal Guru spent the last few years of his life

He was not a fussy prisoner. In recent years, as hope of his release faded, he became a very different man, reports Vicky Nanjappa.

The gallows was about 30 metres away from the 16 feet by 12 feet cell in Tihar Jail in which Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru was lodged.

Guru was surrounded by security guards at all times.

"We ensured that all the guards around him were from Tamil Nadu as they were considered to be unattached to this case," a senior jail official told Rediff.com "Other guards were from the Indo Tibetan Border Police and the Central Reserve Police Force."

Guru had a lot of books in his prison cell and spent most of his time reading them. He also owned a radio which he listened to during the evenings.

Guru did not interact with other jail inmates. He said very little. The only interactions he had were with the guards around him.

He was an early riser. He used to wake up at 5 am and was immediately served a glass of milk.

At around 7.30 am, he was served his breakfast, following which he was allowed to walk around the prison garden for nearly an hour.

The food which was served to him was always tested by the medical superintendent after intelligence reports about likely attempts on his life.

After he returned to his cell, Guru would read.

He was not a fussy prisoner. In recent years, as hope of his release faded, he became a very different man.

On Saturday morning, he was his usual quiet self. He said his prayers like he always did. He had a glass of milk and his breakfast, then he walked to the gallows.