Mahanga Double Murder: Orissa High Court judge recuses from hearing MLA Pratap Jena’s petition

Orissa High Court judge, Justice BP Routray recused from hearing the petition of BJD MLA Pratap Jena in the sensational Mahanga Double Murder case. 

With Justice B P Routray recusing, the hearing will now be held by another bench of the High Court. The Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court will assign the matter to another bench, informed sources.
 
However, the interim relief provided by the Orissa High Court to the MLA is in force. On November 2, 2023, the Orissa High Court had stayed any coercive action against the MLA proceeded by the Salipur JMFC court. 

Also Read: Mahanga double murder: Brief relief for MLA Pratap Jena as Orissa HC stays coercive action

Earlier on January 2, 2021, BJP leader Kulamani Baral, 74, who was the block chairman of Mahanga, and his associate Dibyasingha Baral, 82, were brutally killed by unidentified miscreants near Jankoti village under Mahanga block in Cuttack, while they were returning home on a motorbike. Later, the prime accused in the case, Prafulla Biswal was found dead under mysterious circumstances.

The family of the deceased alleged that both Kulamani and Dibyasingha were murdered on the orders of Pratap Jena.