The arrested activist of People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities, Bapi Mahato obediently followed the Maoist command not just before but even after the Gyaneswari Express disaster on May 28. After carrying out the horrendous act of sabotage in the tracks which led to the derailment of the ill-fated train, the 23-year-old prime accused was in constant touch with the rebel leaders in the Jangalmahal.
The CBI has learnt this after examining a SIM card that it seized from Bapi’s possession following his arrest in Jamshedpur. He had used this card to make calls to some Maoist leaders from whom he took orders, official sources revealed.
Bapi was in touch with them even while he was on the run when the police was in his hot pursuit. He made calls to them even after checking into the Rai Guest House at Adityapur in Saraikela district of Jharkhand, the CBI learnt. His cousin Bimal helped him by providing cellphones which the CBI has seized. “The CBI seized three such cellphones from Bimal,” CBI special public prosecutor Partho Tapaswi said.
The investigators are now examining the numbers Bapi had called from his cellphones. Some diaries and papers recovered from his possession are also under scrutiny. They have also recovered a train ticket from Bapi. “All these objects are being examined and facts verified,” Mr Tapaswi added.
During interrogations by the joint investigation team of the CBI, Bapi reportedly named Jayanto, a Maoist action squad leader from Lodhasuli in West Midnapore. Official sources revealed that Bapi had discussed the train sabotage plan with Jayanto who sent it to other rebel leaders. “He has revealed many important information which the CBI is checking,” Mr Tapaswi elaborated.
At around 1.45 pm on Tuesday, Bapi and Bimal were produced before additional chief judicial magistrate Sheikh Mohammed Rezza of the Jhargram Court. The entire court premises was under tight security cover.
Bapi was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, under section 302 for murder, 307 for attempt to murder and 120B for criminal conspiracy of the IPC and under the Indian Explosives Act. Among other charges slapped on him are maliciously wrecking or attempting to wreck train under section 150 and damaging or destroying certain railway properties under section 151 of the Railway Act.
“We had prayed before the court for two weeks’ custody of the two accused for the sake of the investigations. The court heard our prayer and remanded Bapi and Bimal in 10 days’ custody of the CBI,” Mr Tapaswi said.