Odishatv Bureau

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today granted anticipatory bail to BJD MLA Debesh Acharya in connection with the attack on Union Textile minister Santosh Gangwar’s convoy during his visit to Bargarh.

Talking to media persons later, Archarya’s counsel Sidharth Das said the bail plea of the MLA was heard by a single bench judge Justice D Das.

Also Read: Attack on Santosh Gangwar's convoy

“Argument was made on behalf of the petitioner on the allegations against Acharya under sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 506 (criminal intimidation). Though there were allegations that the stones were pelted at the Union minister, no one was injured and no medical examination was conducted. Prayer was made that since section 307 is not applicable to this case it cannot be considered as an attempt to murder. The court admitted our contention and granted anticipatory bail to Acharya. The court directed the police not to arrest the MLA after his release on bail”, Das added.

Notably, the convoy of the Union minister was attacked by a group of workers of the ruling BJD workers while he was on his way to address a function in Bargarh on June 24. The BJD workers also showed black flags to the Union minister and ransacked the his car though Gangwar escaped unhurt.

The incident was vehemently protested by the BJP who alleged that Acharya had mobilsed his party men to create vandalism.

On June 27, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered an RDC inquiry into the incident.

Acting on the direction, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Northern Division Bhaskarjyoti Sharma had submitted his probe report to the Home department on August 31.

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