3 awarded 5-year jail term for firing at minister Maheswar Mohanty

Puri: The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court today sentenced three persons to five years’ of imprisonment in connection with firing at Revenue minister Maheswar Mohanty in 2014.

While three convicts Amit Bikram Harichandan, Satyanarayan Panigrahi and Lokanath Mishra, have been awarded five years jail term by the court; three others were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

“Eight people were charged in connection with the firing and presently six were under custody. After hearing statements of 32 witnesses the court today passed the judgement and sentenced the 3 accused under 307/34 of IPC,” Raj Sekhar Padhi, counsel appearing on behalf of the government said.

“We respect the judgement but are considering to move a higher court since we have been languishing in judicial custody since last three years,” defence counsel, Rakesh Pradhan said.

Mohanty was shot at by miscreants back in February 21, 2014 near Amala club. He had sustained bullet injuries on his hand and shoulder.