DU teacher asked to depose against Maoist leader

NEW DELHI - A Delhi University lecturer, who was questioned for his links with the Left-wing rebels, was Monday asked to be a witness in a case against Maoist leader Krishna Rao in Hyderabad.

Sunil Mandiwal, assistant professor at Dyal Singh College, said: “Today I was summoned by the police. They wanted me to become a witness in the case against Krishna Rao. I have signed the books and reading material on communism that they found at my place as a witness.”

The Andhra Pradesh police team which detained Mandiwal Sunday, intends to use the signed reading materials as evidence in the case against Rao, who was apprehended March 22.

Mandiwal, on his part, rejects any links with the Maoist leader. “This is a case of mistaken identity. I don’t know this person Krishna Rao. My friend with the same name is someone else.”

Mandiwal said he is fully cooperating with the police and will go to Hyderabad as a witness if needed.

I will go there as a witness. These kind of reading material about communism can be found at any intellectuals’ place, added Mandiwal.