Gives clever replies during interrogation
The process of interrogation of top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda here reached its ninth day on Saturday with the tenure of his remand going to end on Monday.
Though police want to collect more information and have enormous questions at hand to put, Panda’s response was at a slow pace, sources said, adding that Panda speaks less and wants to take rest more.
After the judgment of the District Court, Panda’s advocate Deepak Kumar Patnaik for the first time reached Superintendent of Police office at 5 pm on Saturday. During the interrogation, Panda was sitting at the centre with around 20 police officers circling him. Most prominent police officers were Crime Branch officials, IG (IB) and those from Nayagarh.
Besides, there was a team of police officials which was newly inducted into the interrogation process was from the neighbouring State of Chhattisgarh. The reason of the Chhattisgarh team’s arrival was not immediately known. However, sources said the Chhattisgarh team has come to unearth whether Panda has had any relation with the Maoists of that State and where they operate.
While the Brahmapur police have taken Panda on remand only on one issue, a number of police officers from Odisha and outside have camped here asking questions to Panda with the hope to get the clue to ease their investigation ranging from the incident of looting arms and ammunitions from the Nayagarh police station to the incident of brutal murder of Hindu leader Swami laxmanananda. But Panda is answering all questions with cleverness.
As per the rule, after completion of the period of the 10-day remand, Panda would again be produced before the SDJM Court by the Brahmapur police either on Monday evening or on the forenoon of Tuesday, sources said. It is not known which police will take Panda on remand thereafter.
Mention may be made that two days back the Nayagarh SDJM allowed the Nayagarh police to take Panda on remand. Bhubaneswar Crime Branch Additional DSPs SN Patnaik and RN Mohapatra are in Brahmapur since Friday and discussing different issues relating to the Maoist leader.
On Saturday, Panda’s wife Mili had come to the place of interrogation at the SP office and wanted to remain present during the interrogation since Panda’s lawyer was absent. The constable on duty at the gate refused to allow her inside. After Mili talked to the SDPO over phone, she was permitted to go inside. By the time she went inside, both the SP and SDPO reportedly left the room, saying no further interrogation would take place.
However, on Mili’s request, police permitted her to meet her husband, after which she remained with him for fifteen minutes.