Bihar court acquits 11 Nepal Maoist leaders

A Bihar court on Friday acquitted 11 Nepali Maoist leaders after hearing the state government's petition for the withdrawal of criminal cases against them.

Two days after the state government filed a petition in the Patna civil court for the withdrawal of cases, Additional District Judge Bashishtha Narain Singh ordered the acquittal of the Nepal Maoist leaders after holding a hearing on the petition.

Public Prosecutor Jai Prakash Singh said the court has admitted the state government's petition and acquitted them in view of the state government's decision to withdraw criminal cases against them.

According to police officials, the state government initiated the move to withdraw the criminal cases following a request by the Union home ministry to help bolster bilateral ties between India and Nepal.

According to police officials, on May 2, 2004, a special team led by then Patna Senior Superintendent of Police N H Khan had arrested 11 Maoists leaders, including two party politburo members, from various hotels in Patna for their alleged involvement in anti-India activities.

Soon after, a case was lodged with the Gandhi Maidan police station and the suspected Maoists were sent to judicial custody in Beur jail in Patna. They were later sent to the Buxar jail.

The Patna high court granted them bail on June 16, 2006. They were released on June 22, 2006 and subsequently returned to Nepal.