Khordha: In a blow to Chilika MLA Prasanta Jagadev, the ADJ 2 Court in Khordha turned down his bail application in an EVM vandalism case.

Earlier in the day, the local court had reserved its verdict on the plea challenging the legislator's arrest in a poll violence incident.

Over 40 advocates including senior lawyer Pitambar Acharya had appeared for the MLA in the court seeking bail.

"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 pressurising the presiding officer. As per the Supreme Court and CrPC provisions, the police is bound to comply section 41 and could have granted bail at the police station in case of arrest for offence with less than 7 years sentence. However, the scene was created during polls to impact the polling results in other districts," Acharya told reporters.

Notably, MLA Prasanta Jagadev, who is the BJP's candidate from Khordha Assembly seat in 2024 elections, was arrested for allegedly breaking down an EVM at a polling station in Banapur during 3rd phase of polls on May 25. He was booked under sections 452/448/294/354/323/332/427/171(c)/506(i)/354/34 of the IPC.