BJD MLA Uma Samantaray Apologises For Flouting COVID-19 Norms At Maharathy’s Funeral

Bhubaneswar: After facing the heat for attending MLA Pradeep Maharathy’s funeral despite being coronavirus positive, BJD MLA Uma Samantaray on Saturday tendered an apology for his mistake.

In a video statement, Samantaray said that, “Pipili MLA Pradeep Maharathy’s death came as a shock and I could not control my emotions and reached Puri Swargadwar to attend his funeral on October 4.”

BJD's Satyabadi MLA Umakant Samantaray seeks apology over violation of Covid-19 protocols by joining the funeral ceremony of Pradeep Maharathy despite being tested Corona positive. 'I am ready to accept whatever legal action is taken against me,' says Samantaray

— OTV (@otvnews) October 10, 2020

It is worth mentioning that on September 28, Samantaray through his twitter handle had informed that he had tested positive for Covid-19.

Admitting that it was a mistake on his part to attend Maharathy’s funeral despite being tested positive for COVID-19, the BJD MLA further stated, “Nobody is above law and I am ready to accept whatever action is initiated against me. Nevertheless, I tender my apology for the mistake. ”

The Sea Beach Police Station on Friday had registered an offence against Samantaray for attending the funeral of MLA Pradeep Maharathy at Puri Swargadwar last Sunday despite having been tested positive for Covid-19.

Not only Samantaray, several other BJD MLAs including School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash had also attended Pradeep Maharathy’s funeral at Puri.

However, Dash later clarified that he had tested positive for Covid-19 on September 14 and attended the last rites of Maharathy as he had completed 21 days of quarantine period.

Also Read: BJD MLA Uma Samantaray Booked For Flouting Covid-19 Protocols At Maharathy’s Funeral