Bhadrak district and sessions court has rejected the bail plea of Niranjan Sethi, one of the accused in the cameraman Manas Swain kidnapping and murder case.
As the sensational murder case is still under investigation by Crime Branch, the Court has turned down the bail plea of Sethi who was the former director of the State Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Department.
Meanwhile, the court deferred the bail hearing of other accused in the case-- Parameswar Nayak, Bhagyaban Sahu, Bibek Nayak and Krushnachandra Nayak as the investigating agency is yet to submit the case diary.
“I strongly objected to the bail application of the accused (Sethi). As the case is under investigation by the Crime Branch and there is strong evidence against the accused, the bail plea was rejected by the Court,” said public persecutor Pradipta Kumar Samal.
“Considering the nature of allegation and gravity of the offence, I am not inclined to release the petitioner on bail. Accordingly, the bail petition of the petitioner Niranjan Sethi being devoid of merit stands rejected. The bail application is disposed of accordingly,” Bhadrak District and Sessions Judge said.
Sethi (60) had moved Bhadrak District Judge Court after his bail plea was rejected by the Chandbali Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court.
Notably, a total of eight persons including prime accused Sarmistha Rout have been arrested in Manas murder case.
(Edited By Ramakant Biswas)