Mahanga Double Murder: HC Provides Brief Respite to MLA Pratap Jena, Stays Coercive Action

Cuttack: Orissa High court provided a brief respite to the BJD MLA Pratap Jena in the Mahanga double murder case by putting a stay on coercive action against him.

Orissa High Court on Thursday stayed any coercive action against him proceeded by the Salipur JMFC court in the Mahanga double murder case.

The court fixed the next date of hearing of the case to December 19 and also sought a record from the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Salipur.

Jena did not appear in the Salipur JMFC Court on October 31 citing health grounds. His lawyer submitted a petition in the court stating that the doctors had advised the MLA for rest for one month.

The court had earlier served a notice to Jena to appear before it on October 31 in connection with the murder of local BJP leader Kulamani Baral and his associate Dibyasingha Baral. On January 2, 2021, both were hacked to death near Jankoti village in Mahanga area of Cuttack district. Orissa High Court on Thursday stayed any coercive action against him proceeded by the Salipur JMFC court in the Mahanga double murder case.

Police had booked Jena, then Law Minister, and 12 others in the double murder case on the basis of an FIR lodged by Kulamani’s son Ranjit Kumar Baral.

A case was registered against the accused under Sections 302, 506 and 120-B of the IPC.

Later Jena’s name was removed from the charge sheet. Hearing a petition filed by Kulamani’s son, the Salipur JMFC court had directed the police to probe the allegations regarding the Mahanga MLA’s involvement in the case.