Kolkata/IBNS: A National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in Kolkata on Sunday remanded influential tribal leader and Trinamool Congress (TMC) state committee member Chhatradhar Mahato to two-day NIA custody for further interrogation, reports said.
Earlier on the wee hours of Sunday, Chhatradhar Mahato, who was the poster boy of the Maoist-backed tribal movement in Jangalmahal during 2008-2011, was picked up by the NIA from his residence in Jhargram's Lalgarh in connection with CPI-M leader Prabir Mahato murder and 2009 Rajdhani Express hostage cases.
Chhatradhar Mahato, who had served jail time for assassination bid on former Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, recently joined the TMC and he was appointed as a state committee member of the party.
The NIA had quizzed Mahato multiple times earlier and after Mar 15's interrogation, he reportedly skipped three summons of the central agency, citing poor health condition though he attended TMC poll-campaigns during the period.
Sources in the NIA said that Chhatradhar Mahato had been arrested under UA(P)A sections.
Meanwhile, TMC leaders alleged that the arrest of Mahato was 'politically motivated'.
Chhatradhar Mahato will be produced before the same court on Tuesday.
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