Nagpur:
Suspended Delhi University professor G N Saibaba and five others arrested for alleged Maoist links have been directed by a sessions court in Gadchiroli to appear before it for recording of evidence in connection with the case on October 27.
Saibaba along with Naresh Tirki, Pandu Narote, Hem Mishra, Prashant Sanglikar and Vijay Tirki were arrested by Gadchiroli police and later released on bail.
The case was fixed for recording of evidence yesterday but Saibaba failed to appear before Gadchiroli Sessions Judge Suryakant Shinde while the other accused were present in the court.
Moving an application for adjournment, Special Public Prosecutor P Sathianathan contended that prosecution does not wish to record evidence unless all accused persons are present before the court.
He said serious prejudice would be caused to the prosecution if any of the accused was absent during recording of evidence.
Sathianathan pointed out it was necessary that evidence should be recorded in the presence of all accused persons, as per section 273 of the CrPC.
After hearing arguments of the defence and prosecution, the sessions court adjourned the matter and directed Saibaba and five others accused to remain present at 11 AM on October 27.
Saibaba was arrested in May last year by Maharashtra's Gadchiroli police on charges of allegedly being a member of the banned CPI (Maoist), providing logistics and helping in recruitment for the group.
On June 30 this year, he was granted temporary bail for three months by the Bombay High Court considering his deteriorating health condition.