Obscenity row: Jatra dancer Nisha Maharana granted bail

Popular jatra dance performer Nisha Maharana was granted bail by the Bolangir SDJM court on a bond of Rs 20,000 with one surety on Tuesday. 

The court granted Nisha bail with the conditions that she must not influence or threaten any witnesses and must refrain from continuing obscene dance performances.

Earlier, Nisha had surrendered before the court following directions of the Orissa High Court. A case had been registered against her at Bolangir Sadar police after allegations surfaced that an obscene dance was performed during a cultural programme held at Chandanbhati village on the night of January 12.

The incident took place during a Jatra performance, where Nisha allegedly displayed objectionable gestures and performed an indecent dance, leading to public outrage. Following the incident, ASI Ranjit Pradhan of Chandanbhati outpost lodged a complaint at Sadar police station.

Also Read: Nisha Maharana to be ‘arrested’ for obscene dance in Odisha

Based on the complaint, police registered a case under relevant sections and arrested two event organisers for allowing the controversial performance. A special women police team from Bolangir started camping in Bhubaneswar to trace and arrest Nisha Maharana.

The case had triggered debate over obscenity in public cultural programmes and the responsibility of organisers to maintain decency during such performances.