Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Dec 21: Suspected naxal leader, Shekhar alias Prem (26), who was arrested from Yadamoge within Hosangady gram panchayat in the taluk by the policemen on December 1 this year, was produced in a court here on Monday December 20. Shekhar is a native of Tamil Nadu.

Four lawyers appeared in the court to defend Shekhar. They argued that Shekhar is not guilty, and therefore, demanded for his immediate release. During the hearing, which went on for over an hour, the lawyer representing the police department said that Shekhar is a naxal leader, who was involved with naxal activities in Kundapur taluk since a month. He said that Shekhar used to supply food and explosives to the naxals holed up in the forests, and that Shekhar also provided treatment to ailing naxals, as he is trained in homoeopathic system of medicine. He drew the attention of the court to the fact that three cases are pending against the accused in Tamil Nadu, and that the state government there has declared a cash reward of one lac rupees on his head.

Judge of the court, Hullur Hemalata Basappa, after hearing both the sides, passed an order, remanding Shekhar to judicial custody till January 1, 2011.

The accused was produced in the court in the presence of assistant superintendent of police, Ramnivas Sepat, and circle police inspector, Madan Gaonkar. Anti Naxal Force personnel provided tight security.