India Maoist leader’s associate released from Central Jail

Bacha Yadav, an associate of Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy, who had been facing charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) but was discharged by the court of Additional Sessions and District Judge Mohammad Gulzar for want of prosecution sanction to be given by the Union Government, has been released from the Central Jail here. Yadav, along with Kobad Ghandy, was booked in January 2010 by the Patiala Sadar police under Sections 10, 13, 18 & 20 of the UAPA and Sections 419 and 120-B of the IPC for holding meetings on the premises of Punjabi University in April and May 2009 to promote Maoist ideologies.

As per the UAPA provisions, the prosecution sanction had to be sought from the Union Government. However, it has not been granted till date in the case of Bacha Yadav. The court had ordered that Bacha Yadav be discharged for the time being and if needed, he could be summoned again.