Ruling on Odisha govt plea against SDJM court order on Sabyasachi today

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Brahmapur, July 25:

The District Sessions Court here Thursday completed its hearing of the revision petition filed by the public prosecutor against the SDJM Court’s orders allowing interrogation of Odisha’s top Maoist leader  Sabyasachi  Panda in the presence of either his kith or friend or advocate during the remand period.

The court will pronounce its verdict on Friday, sources said.

Sabyasachi Panda, who was not produced in the court for the hearing due to security reasons, had written a letter addressed to the District Sessions judge. His advocate Deepak Kumar Patnaik read out the contents of the letter before submitting it to the district judge.

The letter read “My fundamental right as per the Constitution should not be curbed. This letter of mine be read in the presence of all. The district judge should record it. I was beaten up after my arrest. I had received blows on my face and hands. Teh worst possible abuses, including some aimed at my mother, were hurled at me. After that I was handcuffed and my face was covered with a black cloth. Brahmapur SP, pointing his Mouser at me, had asked whether I would prefer to be killed in an encounter or would prefer to be arrested. They had brought with them a green coloured dress for the encounter. I had raised my arms and had said I am prepared to die the way you like. Ganjam SP, Kandhamal SP and another police officer threatened to kill me raining kicks on me all the while. My face was covered with a black cloth when I was produced in the SDJM court. Several signatures were obtained from me while my face remained covered. With the black cloth covered over my face I was unable to recognize anyone. I even couldn’t know what was written on those papers. When I was produced in the SDJM court, I had shouted ‘Inquilab zindabad samrajyabad murdabad’ (Long live revolution, Down with imperialism’), I was prevented from doing so and was gagged. I am fully cooperating with the police during interrogation. The cell in which I was kept had tobacco wrappers and sharp razor blades lying inside it. Apprehending being framed in another case, I cleaned it up myself. Different police officers from different districts are interrogating me. They do not have name plates on them. My life is danger when none from my family is present during my interrogations. Kindly issue directives for adherence of directives issued by the honourable SDJM court during interrogations or as the district judge. Make a promise that you will be held responsible for any threat to my life”.