Arrest warrants against Todis,Pappu remanded to judicial custody

Kolkata, Oct 27 (UNI) A city court issued arrest warrants against Ashok and Pradip Todi and Anil Sarogi for not appearing before the court today and remanded Moinuddin, alias Pappu, to judicial custody in the Rizwanur Rehman death case.

The court, however, extended interim bail of the three police officials, charged in the case, and asked them to appear before the bench on November three, the next date of hearing.

Additional magistrate of chief metropolitan magistrate's court Bibhash Choudhury issued the ruling when the Rizwanur death case was heard for the first time since the accused were chargesheeted last month.

Riz's father-in-law Ashok Todi, his brother Pradip and their family friend Anil Sarogi pleaded before the court that the proceedings of the case be stayed till disposal of their appeal on bail before the Supreme Court.

The three had moved the apex court praying for bail after the CBI chargesheeted them in the case.

The magistrate ruled that there was no provision in the Indian Penal Code to stay such hearing when a decision was pending before the Supreme Court and proceeded with the hearing cancelling their plea.

Moinuddin, whose bail plea was rejected a few days ago, was, however, present during the hearing. The court remanded him to jail custody till November ten.

Later, the counsel of the Todi family told newspersons that his clients would move the higher court challenging the arrest warrants.

Rizwanur, who had married Priyanka Todi against her family's wish, was found dead beside railway tracks in the city's northern fringe in September, 2007. His death had sparked off widespread violence.

UNI XC PL AB 1712