'Assault' on police officer: Court frames charges against Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab

In a trouble for Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, the Special Court for MP/MLAs on Thursday framed charges against him in connection with the alleged assault on a police officer.

The charges have been framed against the MP under IPC sections- 341, 323, 294, 353 and 506.

It is pertinent to mention here that MP Mahtab was accused of slapping the then Sub-Inspector Amitabh Mohapatra, now posted as ACP, during a programme held at Netaji Birthplace Museum in Cuttack on January 23,  2011.

In his complaint lodged with the local Darghabazar Police station, the Sub-Inspector then had alleged that he was slapped by the MP.

It was then said that the police officer was posted at the Netaji Museum for crowd management when Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the museum. While restricting the crowd, he was accosted by Mahtab, who was accompanying the CM during the programme. 

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Meanwhile, the Cuttack MP could not be contacted over the development.

Speaking on the issue, Afroz Ahmed, public prosecutor, said, “The matter is sub-judice and the charges were framed today under IPC sections 341, 323, 294, 353 and 506. The next hearing will be held on April 4, 2024.”