Kobad Ghandy granted interim bail

Suspected Maoist ideologue Kobad Ghandy, accused of propagating the activities of the banned CPI-Maoist in the capital city, was granted interim bail by a court here, sources said Tuesday.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Reetesh Singh last week granted interim bail to Ghandy, who is facing charges dealing with cheating, forgery and impersonation under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under provisons of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

According to police, Ghandy was involved in setting up a new network of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in Delhi. He was arrested here September 20, 2009 while undergoing treatment for cancer.

The court said that 65-year-old Ghandy, who is in custody in this case since September 2009, was suffering from various ailments and his condition has "visibly deteriorated" during the period of trial.

"In these facts and circumstances, I admit accused Kobad Ghandy to interim bail for a period of three months on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.1 lakh and two sureties of the like amount," the court said.

Currently, the statement of prosecution witnesses is being recorded in the case.

Ghandy along with co-accused Rajender Kumar alias Arvind Joshi is facing trial in the case.