Odisha court reserves verdict on Hansda’s bail plea

Reported by Santosh Jagdev

Bhubaneswar, Feb 20:

The District and Session Judge Court here today reserved its verdict on Mayurbhanj BJD MP Ramchandra Hansda, who has been arrested by the CBI in connection with the Odisha chit fund scam, seeking permission to attend the upcoming Lok Sabha session, for tomorrow.

The special CBI Court here had earlier rejected the interim bail plea of Handa on February 12.

After hearing the arguments of CBI senior counsel KC Mishra and counsel for Hansda Rabindra Nath Patsani, the court, in its ruling, reserved its order on bail plea of Hansda to tomorrow.

Hansda’s counsel Rabindra Nath Patsani urged the court to grant an interim bail to enable him to attend the Parliament session citing that he could lose his seat if he fails to attend the session.

“After the CBI court rejected our bail plea, we submitted a fresh petition to get bail in the higher court. Article 101 (4) of the Constitution says that his seat will be declared vacant if he does not attend the House for 60 days at a stretch,” Hansda’s lawyer said.

Notably, an MP should not remain absent for a period of 60 days without permission from the Speaker as it would lead to disqualification.

Hansdah, who was arrested by the CBI on November 4 last year in connection with his links with Nabadiganta Capital Services Pvt Ltd, was suspended from the BJD by party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the day of his arrest.