Cuttack/Puri: Two servitors allegedly involved in the Niladri Bije row, have got relief from separate courts on Thursday.
While servitor Kashinath Khuntia was granted conditional bail by Puri additional district judge (ADJ-I) court, proclamation proceeding order and non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued by lower court against servitor Damodar Mahasuar, was stayed in the Orissa High Court.
Hearing the case, the HC has directed Mahasuar to appear before the investigating officials and cooperate with investigation.
Court sources said Khuntia was granted bail against Rs 30,000 bond and two bailers.
On October 15, the Puri police had arrested Khuntia for allegedly assaulting media persons and causing disturbances during Niladri Bije celebrations of the Trinity in June this year.
The servitor was booked on three separate charges- for assaulting mediapersons, misbehaving with Puri district Collector Arvind Agrawral and making disturbances during the Niladri Bije rituals.
Kashinath Khuntia and seven other servitors, Damodar Mahasuara, Jayakrushna Mahasuara, Saina Khuntia, Bhimsen Palankadhari, Ipsit Pratihari, Rabi Dash and Bhagirathi Khuntia, who are accused of heckling the Collector during the annual rituals, were declared as absconders by police on July 27 and were on the run.