The Delhi high court on Thursday admitted the appeal of city college lecturer S A R Geelani, sentenced to death in the Parliament attack case.

A bench comprising Justice Usha Mehra and Justice Pradeep Nandrajog admitted his appeal and asked the prosecution to file a reply by February 3.

The court also issued notice to the Delhi government on a separate application by Geelani seeking directions to the jail authorities to supply him reading and writing material and access to jail library.

Geelani had asked for reading and writing material from his family members, which is not permitted under the rules, police counsel Mukta Gupta said.

"There is no evidence against Geelani. He has a fit case for acquittal," the lecturer's counsel Kamini Jaiswal said.

Geelani, found guilty of waging war against India, terrorist activities under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and murder, was sentenced to death on December 18 by a special court in Delhi.

Senior advocate and former law minister Ram Jethmalani came to address the court on Thursday. He had expressed his willingness to argue Geelani's case despite the Shiv Sena's strong opposition.

He, however, could not appear when the matter was taken up, as he was busy arguing another case.

Jaiswal, who argued Geelani's case, said that Jethmalani would argue the matter when it comes up for hearing on February 3.

The Attack on Parliament: The Complete Coverage