The Birgunj bench of Janakpur High Court on Friday directed District Police Office, Rautahat, to present CK Raut, the coordinator of Free Madhes Campaign, and four other campaign members before the court on Sunday.

Responding to a habeas corpus writ, Judge Dilli Raj Acharya directed Rautahat police to present the five men before the court at 2 pm on Sunday.

The judge has also demanded an explanation from police as to why the defendants were not produced before the court within 24 hours of their arrest.

Rautahat police had arrested Raut along with Ashok Singh, Birendra Sah, Dinesh Yadav and Jay Prakash Sah on the premises of Rautahat District Court on October 4. 

Raut, who is accused of organising a Madhes separatist movement, had a court appearance date that day.  (PR)