Pandey's counsel allowed to be present during interrogation

NASHIK: A local court here on Monday granted permission to the advocate of religious leader Dayanand Pandey, arrested in the Malegaon blast case, to be present during his interrogation if he wants it, Pandey's legal counsel said on Monday.

"Following his arrest, Pandey himself had told the court that he was tortured and feared that he would be physically assaulted while in police custody," Kishore Vig, advocate for Pandey, revealed.

The court has granted permission to Pandey to make a call to his advocate whenever he feels he is likely to be physically tortured during interrogation by the ATS and the lawyer would be allowed to be present, Vig said.

Vig argued before the court that the seriousness of the crime was not important and it should be ensured that he was not submitted to third degree torture while in custody.

"According to us, a lawyer should be permitted to be present while scientific tests like narco-analysis and polygraph are conducted," Vig said.

Special counsel for the ATS Ajay Misar said he was not aware of the order.

Pandey was arrested from Uttar Pradesh and is now in police custody till November 26.

When produced before a court for police remand on November 14, Pandey had alleged physical torture by ATS officials but subsequent to a physical examination by the judge the claim was rejected.

Ten persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the September 29 Malegaon case in which six were killed and over 80 injured due to a bomb strapped to a motorbike.