Odisha police take Sabyasachi on 10-day remand

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Brahmapur, July 19:

The SDJM court here today allowed the police to take Odisha’s most wanted Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda on a 10 day remand for interrogation while rejecting the police’s plea for a 14 day remand, sources said.

SDJM P K Behera also allowed the prayer of Panda’s lawyer to conduct Panda’s interrogation in the presence of his family members/ friends or his advocate. The court further allowed family members of Panda to meet him as per the provisions of the Jail Manual.

Panda’s lawyer said the court had set five conditions for his client’s remand – (a) Panda will be housed in a secured cell. (b) Panda will be medically examined (c) He will be provided with food and medicines. (d) He will not be subjected to physical or mental torture. (e) Family members/friends or his advocate can remain present during his interrogation and family and friends can meet him in the jail during the remand period.

The SDJM had rejected Panda’s bail application yesterday, but had kept the hearing on the remand plea of the police for today.

Panda was sent to the Brahmapur Circle jail after the hearing where he was housed last night.