Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda awarded life term
Panda's counsel Deepak Patnaik said police had levelled several false cases against him following his arrest in 2014.
Berhampur: In a major blow to dreaded Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, the Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-I here sentenced him to life imprisonment on Saturday in connection with a case in 2014.
Sources said Berhampur ADJ-1 Sanjay Kumar Sahoo awarded life imprisonment to the Maoist leader under Section-121 (waging war against state) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Pronouncing the judgement, the court also imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000 on Panda.
On July 17, 2014, the police had arrested Panda from Badabazar area and seized several arms, cash and gold from his possession. Public Prosecutor Gyannendra Jena said several cases under Sections 121,121 (A), 126 and other relevant sections of the Arms Act have been lodged against Panda at various police stations, including in Ganjam, Phulbani and Rayagada. While he has been acquitted in 52 cases so far, the ADJ-1 today awarded him life imprisonment under Section-121 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Panda’s counsel Deepak Patnaik said police had levelled several false cases against him following his arrest in 2014. “Panda has already been acquitted in 52 out of around 135 cases. We will move to higher court to challenge the court’s judgement today,” he added.