File Photo: Maoist Leader Sabyasachi Panda
A local court in Behampur on Saturday allowed the Odisha Police to take Sabyasachi Panda on remand for 10 days. The top Maoist leader was then taken to an undisclosed location.
Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Berhampur, PK Behera granted 10 days police remand of the Maoist leader even as the police had sought for 14 days remand.
Mr Behera pronounced his observations while hearing a petition filed by the Maoist leader requesting the court to allow family member/friend or advocate to remain present during the interrogation by police.
The court had, however, rejected Panda's bail petition while it admitted all other requests, Mr Panda's advocate said on Saturday.
The court put five conditions while allowing the police to take Mr Panda on remand.
The court has said either one of his family members or friends or his counsel be allowed to remain present when police interrogates the top Maoist
The other conditions were: proper food, medical facilities, no physical or mental torture in the police custody and allowing his family members to meet him as per the jail manual.
Not satisfied over the SDJM court's observations, Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) Pradeep Behera said they would move the higher court against the verdict.
"We will move the higher court after getting the judgement copy, Pradeep Behera said.
Mr Panda was arrested by the police from a house in Mangalavarampeta Street in Bada Bazar police station limit in the town on Thursday night.
During the argument, Panda's counsel Deepak Patnaik told the judge that the Maoist leader should be interrogated in the judicial custody.
Otherwise his family members or advocate should be allowed to remain present during questioning by the investigation agency in order to ensure safety of the Maoist leader.
Mr Panda's advocate cited the Supreme Court judgement on DK Basu Vs West Bengal government in 2006 in this regard.
"The custodial deaths were reported in the country. In this case who will give the guarantee of the life of my client? Mr Patnaik argued in the court.
Public prosecutor (PP) Janeshwar Mishra, who opposed the proposal of allowing the accused persons family members to remain present during the interrogation, said that this may a bid to hamper the investigation.