The Orissa High Court on Thursday granted conditional bail to suspended BJD MLA from Chilika, Prashant Jagdev in connection with assault of BJP leader and Balugaon Mandal chairman Niranjan Sethi.
While granting the bail, the top court of the State directed Jagdev not to influence witnesses in the cases and put forth other conditions.
Earlier, Khordha Additional District Judge Court-1 (ADJ) had rejected the bail plea of Jagdev following which he was sent to judicial custody. Later, the legislator was shifted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar for treatment of his heart ailment.
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On October 5, the Orissa High Court had rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by the BJD MLA, who had been booked in two cases of assault and intimidation by the Balugaon police. Later, the High Court had directed him to remain present in the lower court and had also directed the lower court to hear the bail plea of the accused on the same day.
Notably, Jagdev was accused of attacking BJP Balugaon Mandal chairman Niranjan Sethi on September 8. The Chilika MLA had allegedly abused and slapped Sethi in full public view.
The BJD leader had also allegedly snatched the mobile phone of a journalist present on the spot. Following the incident, the BJP leader had lodged a police complaint while another complaint was filed against Jagdev by the journalist at Balugaon police station.
The BJD legislator was also suspended by party Supremo Naveen Patnaik following reports of his alleged ‘hooliganism’.