Maoist leader produced before court

Maoist leader Roopesh who was arrested on the charges of engaging in maoist activities on the border of Karnataka was produced before the district Principal and Sessions Court on Monday.

He was brought under tight security by the Kerala-Kodagu ANF personnel on Sunday night and was lodged at Karnangeri prison. When he was brought to the court, he shouted slogans in favour maoists and demanded facilities of political prisoners for him in the prison.

Judge Veerabhadrappa Mallappa posted the hearing to November 27. Later, he was taken to Kannur prison in Kerala.

A team of Maoists led by Roopesh had appeared at Kalooru, Birunani, Parakatageri in 2010 and Cherambani in 2013. The team had collected food grains from households and distributed pamphlets in favour of maoists. A case against him was registered at Srimangala and Bhagamandala police stations.

This is the third time that Roopesh is being produced to the court in Madikeri. The police had arrested him at Coimbatore and the Kodagu police had taken him to custody in 2015 for an enquiry.

He also faces the charges of having a close affinity with Maoist leader Vikram Gowda.