Ghandy to get his counsel during interrogation

A court in New Delhi on Monday allowed the plea of top Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy seeking the presence of his lawyer during his custodial interrogation, a submission which was opposed by the Delhi Police.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kaveri Baweja allowed the application on the condition that the counsel shall not cause any interference in the process of interrogation.

The court said that the counsel shall remain present at a 'visual distance' only which would be decided by the investigation officer.

It noted that Ghandy's counsel Vishal Gosain has undertaken that he shall remain at a distance from the accused during the course of questioning and that no disturbance of any nature, whatsoever, shall be caused by his presence.

The court had on October 9 reserved its order on 59-year-old Ghandy's plea for the presence of his counsel during his custodial interrogation by police.