Ranchi, Aug 12 (IANS): The Jharkhand High Court on Friday heard a PIL seeking an inquiry into the case of the surrender of 512 tribal youths by declaring them as Maoists. 

Chief Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra directed the Centre and the Jharkhand government to file a status report.

The PIL was filed on behalf of Jharkhand Council for Democratic Rights. Advocate Rajeev Kumar appeared on behalf of the applicant.

It was claimed in the PIL that 512 youths of Jharkhand were falsely declared 'Maoists', and they were made to surrender.

To convince the youths to do so, they were "lured" to a position in the CRPF.

The PIL claimed that senior police officers made the government "spend crores of money" in connection with this matter.

The police personnel's motive was to receive awards from the Union Home Minister.

Earlier, while hearing the petition, the High Court had asked the Home Ministry and the Jharkhand Home Secretary to submit a "sealed report" regarding the surrender of 512 youths.