Odisha court acquits Maoist leader's wife

Bhubaneswar, April 10 (IANS) A fast track court in Odisha Tuesday acquitted a top Maoist leader's wife in a 2003 shootout case for lack of evidence, sources said. Her release was sought by the rebels in exchange for an Italian who has been held captive by them since last month.

The fast track court at Gunpur in Rayagada district acquitted Subhashree Das, wife of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, who was behind last month's abduction of two Italians, one of whom was later released.

Subhashree was accused of involvement in the exchange of fire between Maoists and police in Kutingaguda area of the district in 2003.

Subhashree, also known as Mili, is one of several prisoners whose freedom was sought by Maoists in exchange for the release of the Italian tour operator Bosusco Paolo, in the custody of the rebels since March 14.

There was no official word on whether the state government facilitated her release.

Her husband Sabyasachi Panda is the organising secretary of the Odisha unit of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), the group that kidnapped the Italian from Kandhamal district.