Khordha: A local court in Khordha reserved its verdict on the bail application of Chilika MLA Prasanta Jagadev against his arrest in an EVM vandalism case.

Over 40 advocates including senior lawyer Pitambar Acharya submitted a vakalatnama to represent their client in the ADJ 2 Court in Khordha today.

"Prasanta Jagadev is innocent. The manner police arrested a sitting MLA is condemnable. The police had no evidence against the MLA at the time of arrest. The complaint was registered pressurizing the presiding officer. As per the Supreme Court and CrPC provisions, the police are bound to comply with section 41 and could have granted bail at the police station in case of arrest for an offense with less than 7 years sentence. However, the scene was created during polls to impact the polling results in other districts," said Acharya.

Questioning the police inaction in other poll violence cases, he alleged, "One of the BJD MLAs assaulted a BJP worker in Chhendipada. BJP youth wing president was attacked yesterday, the BJD workers allegedly killed two BJP workers in Khallikote and Bargarh during polls. However, no exemplary action has been taken against the accused persons belonging to the BJD."

Worth mentioning, MLA Prasanta Jagadev, who is the BJP's candidate from Khordha Assembly seat in 2024 elections, was arrested for allegedly breaking down an EVM during polling a polling station in Banapur on May 25. He was booked under sections 452/448/294/354/323/332/427/171(c)/506(i)/354/34 of the IPC.