Kolkata, Nov 18 (IANS) People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) leader Chhatradhar Mahato, who was arrested in September this year, was accused in a fresh case Wednesday for helping Maoists during a gunbattle with the joint forces in West Bengal.

According to sources, Mahato was brought to the Jhargram sub-divisional court and a new case was initiated against him Wednesday.

As per the fresh charges, Mahato and one of his associates, Sidhu Soren, had allegedly accompanied the Maoists and helped them during a gunbattle with the central paramilitary forces in Midnapore's Lalgarh region, the public prosecutor said.

The gunbattle took place at Kadasol forest area under Lalgarh police station in West Midnapore district June 26.