The Orissa High Court today refused to issue any direction on whether gangster Dhalasamant brothers would be handcuffed during transit on police remand.
Upholding the order passed by Cuttack Sadar SDJM court in this connection on February 16, Justice B K Nayak directed that the investigating officer may make arrangements for better escort and security.
The Dhalasamant brothers - Sushil and Sushant - were arrested last month for their alleged involvement in abduction and murder of two of their former associates.
"No general direction can be issued at present for handcuffing the opposite parties (Sushant Kumar Dhalasamant and Sushil Kumar Dhalasamant) while taking them to different places for the purpose of investigation," Justice Nayak said.
The order was reserved on Monday after completion of hearing on a case filed by Odisha government.
The High Court said there is no material to suggest that the brothers were attempting to escape from custody.
However, the judge said, the investigation officer can act according to the need of the situation.
It is open to the investigation officer to handcuff them if the situation demands and such action shall have to be justified later before the Cuttack SDJM, the judgement said.
While granting police remand to Dhalasamant brothers, the SDJM court had on three occasions rejected the investigation officer's plea to handcuff them. Challenging the order, the state government had approached the High Court to allow the police to handcuff the brothers.
