The Supreme Court today sought response from the Centre and the Odisha government on a petition seeking to restrain the release of jailed Maoists in
exchange for captive BJD MLA Jina Hikaka. 

The apex court initially expressed disinclination to issue any notices, but relented after counsel for Major General (retd) Gangurdep Bakshi persisted with the plea. 

The petitioner submitted that already five Maoists had been released by the state government yesterday, to facilitate the release of the abducted MLA.
Responding to questions, the counsel said that the bail applications for the release of the Maoists was moved on their behalf by their supporters and the state government chose not to oppose it.