Chhatradhar returns to Lalgarh after acquittal in Rajdhani case
Times of India | 18 November 2024
12 Jhargram: Trinamool functionary Chhatradhar Mahato returned to his native village Amliya in Lalgarh on Sunday after a special NIA court in Kolkata acquitted him and four other accused in the 2009 Rajdhani Express hostage case. Mahato, formerly convener of the Maoist-backed Police Against Police Atrocities (PCPA), faced charges in nearly 50 cases.
Last Tuesday, the court allowed him to return to Amliya. About a year-and-a-half ago, Mahato was released on conditional bail by Calcutta High Court, which barred him from returning to his village and restricted his movement in five districts, including Jhargram.
After getting bail, Mahato stayed at a house in Salt Lake. During the festive days this year, the HC allowed him to visit Amliya village for 96 hours to see his ailing mother. After spending four days at home in Oct, he returned to Kolkata. Now, with the special court's acquittal in the Rajdhani case, he was allowed to enter Amliya.
On Sunday, before he entered Jhargram, Trinamool workers in the Lodhashuli area welcomed him. District council chairman Chinmoy Marandi and Jhargram TMC block president Naren Mahato were also present.
Mahato said: "Today I am with my people. I was framed in a false case. It was politically motivated, as the Left Front never believed in democracy. Unable to win through democratic means, they attacked political figures using various agencies. I will now work for the indigenous and local people in Jhargram. I haven't thought beyond that yet."