DU Professor Nandini, JNU Professor Archana Booked In Tribal Man’s Murder Case 

Raipur: Delhi University Professor Nandini Sundar and Jawaharlal Nehru University's Archana Prasad are among 10 people accused in the murder of a villager in Chhattisgarh.

Ms Sundar has been named in a complaint by the wife of Shamnath Baghel, who was killed by Maoists last Friday in his village in Maost-hit Bastar.

"It is absurd, bizarre and patently malafide. I haven't been in Bastar in months," said the 48-year-old activist professor.

The activists have been accused of murder, conspiracy and rioting, said senior police officer SRP Kalluri, adding that "strongest possible action" will be taken against those guilty.

"We don't go by feelings, we go by facts, we will take action based on what facts we have," Mr Kalluri told media.

Baghel was killed by Maoists with sharp weapons on Friday at his village around 450 km from state capital Raipur. He had been leading a campaign against Maoist activities since April and had recently formed the "Tangiya (axe) group".

"The victim's wife has alleged that Nandini and other workers held meetings in the area and that was provocative. There were threats received that Baghel will be eliminated if he doesn't mend his ways," Mr Kalluri said.

Baghel and other villagers had reportedly complained in May against Ms Sundar.

The police officer alleged that Ms Sundar went to the village in June using a fake name - Richa Keshav. "She did accept it and said she didn't want to disclose her name," said the officer.

"We don't need any interference or guidance, Bastar knows to handle its own problems. We don't like any kind of interference," he asserted.

Ms Sundar has accused the police officer of forcing Baghel's wife to file a complaint against her.

"This is clear vendetta. Mr Kalluri has been specifically targeting activists," she said, alleging that Mr Kalluri is worried about being implicated in a case that the activists have been fighting for years.

Ms Sundar, an activist, heads the sociology department at the university and has worked extensively in Maoist-hit regions like Bastar. It was on her petition that the Supreme Court banned the state-backed anti-Maoist militia Salwa Judum, calling the force unconstitutional.