The Chhattisgarh government on Wednesday (December 10, 2025) approved the process for the withdrawal of criminal cases registered against surrendered Maoists.
More than 2,300 Maoists, including high-profile leaders, have surrendered in the State in the past two years, according to the police. Government sources said the latest decision was an “in-principle” one that would look at all eligible cases, including those who had surrendered years ago and are working with the government in the District Reserve Guards, a specialised police unit formed to combat Maoists.
The Opposition Congress has criticised the move and asked the State’s BJP government to clarify its stance regarding Maoists involved in serious criminal incidents and those arrested for ordinary incidents against whom a chargesheet had not even been filed.
The decision to form a Cabinet sub-committee to review and examine cases filed against surrendered Maoists that are to be withdrawn from court was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao told presspersons.
“This committee will present the cases to the Council of Ministers after examination. This decision is in accordance with the provisions of the Chhattisgarh Naxalite Surrender/Victim Relief Rehabilitation Policy-2025 issued by the Chhattisgarh government, which provides for the disposal of cases registered against surrendered Naxalites based on their good conduct and contribution to the eradication of Naxalism,” Mr. Sao said.
