Former Odisha MLA Ramesh Jena, four others sent to jail

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Berhampur, Mar 7:

Former Odisha legislator Ramesh Jena and four others were today sent to jail after their bail petitions were rejected by a local court here.

The local police today produced former Sanakhemundi MLA Ramesh Jena, his father Arakhita Jena, Bapi Panda, Jackey Patra and Jagada before Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court here.

The arrested persons were sent to Berhampur Circle Jail after the bail petitions of three were rejected by the court. However, the court reserved the verdict on the bail plea of Arakhita Jena. The next hearing has been posted to March 11.

They have been sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Notably, the Congress leader has been booked under Sec 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 25 of Arms Act, 436 (Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house) and 212 (harbouring offender) of IPC.

It may be mentioned that Ramesh, Bapi and Jackey were arrested late last night in the Silk City after they were being picked up from Odisha capital. Ramesh’s father, Arakhita, was arrested this morning who was detained since yesterday evening.

The police had conducted a search at the house of Jena at Bila Street in Gatabazar here. Two revolvers with five live bullets, besides Rs 10 lakh in cash, five bank accounts with deposit amounting to over Rs 1 crore, over 100 land documents and some important papers were seized after the raid, sources said.