Gajapati, Aug. 19 -- Maoist leader Azad alias Dana Keshab Rao was released on Tuesday after spending over 15 years in jail as an undertrial prisoner, following his acquittal in all 49 cases registered against him in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

Azad had spent 15 years, two months and a few days in custody before being acquitted by a special court after he was found not guilty in the cases.

Azad's lawyer, Swarup Kumar Pal, told ANI that Azad had surrendered before the Srikakulam police in Andhra Pradesh on May 29, 2011. However, he was later arrested by Odisha Police. A total of 49 cases were pending against him across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Pal said that "a case is also ongoing in court regarding Andhra Police illegally handing him o...