Dr K K Kaushik
Muzaffarpur: The Additional District Judge (ADJ) – 3, Muzaffarpur, on late October 29 evening, acquitted all 30 accused in Maoist attack on a police picket at Pahsoul Bazaar under Katra block in Muzaffarpur district on December 18, 2000, in which six police rifles and 749 live cartridges were looted after firing at a c0onstable causing serious injury to him. The court acquitted all the 30 accused for want of evidence almost 16 years after the incident. The court said that police could not produce evidence against the accused.
The state government had opened a police picket at Pahsoul Bazaar as the area is naxal infested. But on December 18, 2000, Maoists numbering over one hundred attacked it and looted arms and ammunition after firing at a constable. Police filed chargesheet against 30 Maoists in connections with the incident. The acquittal of all the 30 accused for want of evidence is a big setback to police.