Mahanga Double Murder Case: Orissa HC Grants Extension of Interim Protection to BJD MLA Pratap Jena

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday extended interim protection to BJD MLA Pratap Jena in the Mahanga double murder case until January 17, 2024. This comes as the High Court postponed Jena’s petition challenging the order of the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Salepur, which had taken cognizance of offences against him in the case.

The JMFC’s order on September 24 had implicated Pratap Jena under sections 302, 506, and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code based on statements from the complainant, witnesses, and available materials. Jena, a former Law Minister, has contested the jurisdiction of the judicial magistrate in his petition.

The court’s directive prohibits any coercive action against Jena until the next hearing on January 17. Earlier, Jena, through his lawyer, cited health issues and sought exemption from personal appearance under Section 205 of IPC. The court had summoned him to appear on October 31, but he was undergoing treatment at Capital Hospital.

The Mahanga double murder case dates back to January 2, 2021, when BJP leader Kulamani Baral and his associate Dibyasingh Baral were brutally attacked near Jankoti village. The prime accused, Prafulla Biswal, was later found dead under mysterious circumstances in Tangi district.