Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh Minister Amar Mani Tripathi, arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with poetess Madhumita Shukla murder case, was on September 23 remanded to police custody for seven days by a special court.

Special judicial magistrate (CBI) R M Yadav, while granting police remand for Tripathi, directed that two nominated defence advocates could accompany the accused during interrogation from 6.00 am (IST) on September 24 to 2.00 pm (IST) on September 30.

It also directed CBI not to resort to any physical or mental torture or third degree methods during interrogation.

The court had September 22 remanded Tripathi to judicial custody till October 6.

The accompanying lawyers would maintain distance so that they do not overhear Tripathi's interrogation but could keep a watch on him, the court said adding the CBI would have to inform the two lawyers in advance if they took him out of station for the purpose of investigation.

It also directed that Tripathi would undergo medical check up before being handed over to the CBI and also after the expiry of the police remand.

Earlier, the defence counsels opposed CBI's plea for seeking police remand of Tripathi for 14 days and alleged that the accused could be subjected to third degree methods.

Defence counsel Virendra Vikram said outside the court that the authenticity of the DNA report could be challenged in the court.

PTI