Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of BJD MLA from Dhamnagar, Muktikant Mandal in connection with a murder case of 2002.
According to sources, the HC has ordered the MLA to surrender before the lower court. Moreover, the court has ordered the lower court to hear the case based on the cases of other accused in the murder case.
In the meantime, the Bhadrak sessions court has summoned the MLA to appear before it tomorrow.
"The lower court has summoned the MLA not issued a warrant. In this context MLA's apprehension to get arrested is no well-founded," said lawyer Ashutosh Mishra.
Notably, on November 3, 2002, one Niranjan Jena was from Sugo village under Basudevpur police limits was abducted and murdered. Deceased Niranjan’s uncle Duhsashan Jena filed a case against 6 persons including Muktikant Mandal. However, police had excluded Muktikant Mandal’s name from the chargesheet following with Duhsashan moved the High Court.
After High Court ordered the Bhadrak Sessions Court to name Muktikant as an accused and conclude its hearing within 6 months, the Dhamnagar MLA had sought an anticipatory bail.