Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhadrak, Oct 27:

The Additional District Judge (ADJ) Court here today granted conditional bail to Odisha ruling party MLA from Dhamnagar Muktikanta Mandal in the sensational Niranjan Jena murder case.

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The BJD MLA was granted bail by the court against two sureties and a bail bond of Rs 25,000.

Earlier in the day, Mandal had surrendered before the court on Orissa High Court orders.

Notably, one Niranjan Jena of Sugo village under Basudevpur police station limits was allegedly kidnapped and beaten to death by 20-25 men, including Muktikanta Mandal— the then block chairman of Basudevpur— and Nepal Barik, on November 3, 2002.

Deceased Niranjan’s uncle Dusashan Jena had lodged a complaint with the police alleging involvement of Mandal and five others in the murder.

However, the police in its charge sheet excluded the name of Mandal and another. Challenging it, Dusashan had moved the High Court.

The High Court on September 19 directed Bhadrak Sessions Court to make Mandal an accused in the murder case and finish the trial within six months.

Following the High Court’s direction, Mandal had moved for anticipatory bail.

Rejecting Mandal’s plea for anticipatory bail on October 20, the High Court directed him to surrender before the subordinate court.