Cops seek time to file chargesheet against activists

Pune: The Pune police Friday filed an application before a Pune court, seeking extension of time to file a chargesheet against activists Sudha Bhardwaj, Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira. The court will hear the arguments on this application on November 26.

After producing the accused before the court, the Pune police Friday filed an application before the special court of K.D. Vadane, asking for an extension for filing the charge-sheet.

The police is supposed to file a charge-sheet against the accused within the stipulated time of 90 days from the date of arrest. The 90-day period is getting over on November 25 as these accused were arrested on August 28.

Bhardwaj, Gonsalves and Ferreira are currently in judicial custody at Yerwada Jail while Rao is in police custody.

The Pune police arrested them on August 28 for being active members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). The Supreme Court the next day while hearing the plea of Romila Thapar remanded them to house arrest for four weeks and again extended their house arrest for a further four weeks, allowing them time to apply for bail. However, the Pune court refused their bail applications and Bhardwaj, Gonsalves and Ferreira were arrested again on October 27, while Rao was arrested on November 17.