Dhamnagar MLA surrenders before ADJ court; granted bail

Bhadrak: Following the order of the Orissa High Court, BJD MLA from Dhamnagar Muktikant Mandal today surrendered before the ADJ court here in connection with a murder case that took place in 2002. After surrendering, Muktikant was granted bail by the ADJ.

Earlier, the High Court had rejected the anticipatory bail plea of the legislator on October 20 and directed him to surrender before the lower court. The high Court had also ordered the lower court to hear the case based on the cases of other accused in the murder case.

Notably, on November 3, 2002, one Niranjan Jena from Sugo village under Basudevpur police limits was abducted and murdered. Deceased Niranjan’s uncle Duhsashan Jena had filed a case against six persons including the MLA. However, police had excluded Muktikant Mandal’s name from the chargesheet following which Duhsashan had knocked the door of high court.

After High Court ordered the Bhadrak Sessions Court to name Muktikant as an accused and conclude its hearing within six months, the legislator had sought anticipatory bail.