(IN): Jailed Czech scientists get a lawyer at last

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Jailed

Czech scientists get a lawyer at last **

Express News Service*Posted online: Tuesday , July 15, 2008 at 02:50:41

Updated: Tuesday , July 15, 2008 at 02:50:41 *

 

 

*Kolkata, July 14* The Czech embassy appointed a lawyer on Monday to provide

legal assistance to the two entomologists lodged in a Darjeeling Jail since

June 22.

 

Anuj Singh, an advocate of the Calcutta High Court, met Petr Svacha and Emil

Kucera in Darjeeling jail today for completing legal formalities to move a

petition before the High Court.

 

Singh told The Indian Express that the duo had signed the vokalatnama (paper

to appoint lawyer). " I couldn't secure the FIR and other papers from the

Darjeeling court as the legal establishment is affected by the bandh in the

Hills. I will discuss with the Czech embassy officials tonight to form our

strategy, " said Singh.

 

Meanwhile, the scientists were said to be in good health. Since they avoided

the food served in the prison, the jail authorities are providing them with

milk and butter.

 

A source in the Darjeeling jail said, " The Embassy officials are in regular

touch with them. Last week, two representatives of the Czech embassy visited

them in the jail. "

 

Svacha and Kucera were arrested by forest department officials for allegedly

possessing beetles, butterflies and larvae near the Singalila National Park

on June 22. Subsequently, they were produced before the magistrate at

Darjeeling and remanded in judicial custody till July 7. They were produced

before the magistrate again on July 7 and remanded in judicial custody till

July 23.

 

With the judicial system in the Hills collapsing following a strike by the

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), the two scientists have been stranded in the

jail.

 

Though the GJM deferred the strike in hills for a temporary period in the

first week of July, lawyers belonging to the GJM continued to suspend their

work in the area.

 

 

 

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