The judge, M D Rezza, said the application of the UAPA required the state government’s sanction, which the CID had not obtained.

Kausik Sinha, the counsel for the accused, said the CID had filed the chargesheet under various sections of IPC, Arms Act and Explosives Substance Act as well as the UAPA. “It is mandatory for the investigating agency to take sanction from the state government for application of the UAPA,” he said. On February 15 this year, heavily armed Maoists had attacked the Silda camp, killing 24 EFR jawans. The CID, which was handed over the investigation, filed the chargesheet on Friday.

Among the 24 persons named in the CID chargesheet are Kishenji, and Sasadhar Mahato, the elder brother of Chattardhar Mahato. Of the 24, seven are in police custody while the rest are absconding. There are 70 witnesses named in the chargesheet.

When contacted, Raj Kanojia, the additional director general of CID, said the proposal for obtaining sanction for the application of UAPA was sent to the chief minister. “It takes some time. I hope that sanction will be received within a day or two,” he said.