Andhra HC Rejects Plea for Missing Maoist Leaders, Cites Lack of Evidence
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A division bench of the Andhra Pradesh high court has dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by the families of two missing Maoist leaders, Thippiri Tirupati alias Devji and Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram. The court ruled that there is no prima facie evidence to show that the duo is in police custody. The petition was filed by Devji's brother and Raji Reddy's daughter, who sought the high court's directions to produce the two leaders. However, the court observed that the material presented did not establish that the two leaders were detained by the police. The court noted that senior police officials had previously stated that nine key Maoist leaders were taken into custody, but this did not include Devji and Raji Reddy. The court also pointed out that the petitioners' claim of secret detention was based on 'apprehensions' rather than concrete evidence. The court clarified that if any concrete evidence emerges in the future, the petitioners are free to approach the court again. Meanwhile, a senior Telangana police official has hinted that Devji and Raji Reddy, along with other Maoist leaders, may surrender to the Telangana police in the coming days. The development comes as the CPI (Maoist) has lost several top leaders from the Telugu states in recent encounters. The whereabouts of former general secretary Muppala Lakshman Rao alias Ganapathi remain unknown, with intelligence officials dismissing rumors of his escape to Nepal as speculation.
