Govind Pansare case: No permission for accused's brain mapping

Kolhapur: A magistrate's court here on Friday extended the judicial custody of Samir Gaikwad, arrested in the Govind Pansare murder case, till October 23, while denying the permission to subject him to brain-mapping test.

During the proceedings, Gaikwad told the court that he was not willing to undergo brain-mapping because his "mental health" wasn't good.

The lawyer representing the Pansare family said the test can be conducted after his health improved, but Gaikwad remained firm on his stand.

As such tests cannot be conducted without the person's consent, the court rejected police's application seeking permission for his brain mapping.

The court also dismissed police's request for his fresh custody for identification parade.

Gaikwad, a member of right-wing outfit Sanatan Sanstha, was arrested on September 16 in the case. Pansare, a veteran CPI leader, and his wife were shot by two unidentified motorcycle-borne persons in Kolhapur in February. While his wife survived, Pansare died at a Mumbai hospital.