Maoist leader Asim Mandal alias Akash sent to 10-day police custody

A designated court on Friday remanded alleged senior Maoist leader Asim Mandal, alias Akash, to 10 days of police custody following his arrest by the Kolkata Police Special Task Force (STF).

Mandal, 64, was produced before the designated court a day after his arrest. The court remanded him to police custody until September 28.

According to police, Mandal is a central committee member and secretary of the West Bengal State Committee-I of the CPI(Maoist). He was arrested from Purba Medinipur district on Thursday.

Police alleged that Mandal was a close associate of Maoist military commander Mallojula Koteswara Rao, alias Kishenji, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in West Bengal's Jhargram district in 2011.

Investigators said Mandal played a key role in organising the Maoist uprising in the Jangalmahal region of West Bengal between 2008 and 2011.

Police said a reward of Rs 1 crore had been announced for information leading to Mandal's arrest. At least 17 criminal cases are registered against him in Jharkhand, while another 13 cases are pending in West Bengal, according to the police.

The 10-day custody will allow investigators to question Mandal in connection with the cases registered against him and examine his alleged role in Maoist activities in West Bengal and neighbouring states.

with inputs from PTI