Pokhara, March 15:

Police have been keeping in custody one Nur Prasad Adhikari, who was handed over to them by the Maoists nine days ago.

The Maoists had caught him on March 7 for setting ablaze a gate constructed at Pokhara to welcome Maoist chairman Prachanda. Legal eagles say the police have violated the citizen’s right to be presented before the court within 24 hours of arrest.

“We handed over Adhikari to the police on the day we arrested him and we don’t know what has happened to him after then,” Maoist Kaski in-charge Karan said.

“The Maoist leaders are busy, and Adhikari has been kept for interrogation,” SP at the Kaski District Police Pankaj Shrestha said.

Adhikari confessed that he had set ablaze the welcome gate.