Maoist leader acquitted in Arms Act case

Berhampur: A local court acquitted prominent Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda today in a case registered against him under Arms Act at Goshaninugaon police station four years ago.

Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM), Berhampur, Pradeep Kumar Behera acquitted the Maoist leader on the ground that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against Panda in the case.

Panda?s advocate Deepak Patnaik said it was the first judgment out of over 100 cases registered against the red rebel leader in different police stations in various districts of Odisha.

The court also acquitted two other accused in the case but issued non-bailabale warrant against another as he was yet to turn up before the court despite summons.

The two co-accused set free by the court were Sunil Pradhan of Daringibadi and Aditya Moharana of Nayagarh. The NBW was issued against Benudhara Barik of Baliguda.

Police had arrested the trio here on July 9, 2011 and seized a rifle, ten rounds of ammunition, two mobile phones and cash of Rs 3000 from them.