Odisha MLA Pravat Biswal moves HC for bail

Cuttack:  BJD’s Choudwar-Cuttack MLA Pravat Biswal, who was arrested by the CBI for his alleged complicity in the Seashore Group chit fund scam recently, today moved the Orissa High Court seeking bail.

Sources said Biswal in his bail plea has challenged his arrest by the CBI.

He has questioned the earlier rejection of his bail plea by the Special CBI Court.

He has stated that the allegation on basis of which he has been arrested by the central investigating agency is actually against his wife Laxmibilasini and not him.

He has added that the land deal in question and the transfer of Rs 25 lakh for the same was between his wife and Seashore Group chief Prasanta Dash.

While dubbing his arrest as illegal, he has also cited his ill health for grant of bail, the sources revealed.

After his bail plea was rejected by the Special CBI Court, Biswal had moved the Khordha District and Sessions Court for bail. Here, too his bail plea was rejected on September 26.

It may be recalled that Biswal was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the wee hours of September 19 from his Mahanadi Vihar residence in Cuttack for his alleged complicity in the Seashore Group chit fund scam.

While the Special CBI Court had granted the central investigating agency a five-day remand of the BJD MLA for further interrogation, the agency produced him in the court on September 22, one day before the completion of the remand period as he complained of sickness.

Biswal, who was sent to Jharpada Special Jail by the court with a direction for examination by doctors at the jail, was admitted to the Capital Hospital after doctors at the jail examined him and recommended for his shifting.

Later on September 25, as the health condition of the BJD lawmaker deteriorated, a panel of doctors comprising of Orthopaedic, Medicine, Surgery and Cardiology specialists treating him at the Capital Hospital recommended for his shifting to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for better treatment.

He is currently undergoing treatment at the Coronary ICU of the SCB Medical College and Hospital.

The MLA was under scanner over a deal between his wife Laxmi Bilasini Biswal and Seashore Group CMD Prashant Dash over a piece of land measuring 34 gunths at Benapur mouza in Jajpur district.

Dash had paid Rs 25 lakh for the land by cheque in two installments to Laxmi Bilasini in April 2012.

However, Dash had cancelled the deal later and had wanted his money back.

The MLA’s wife has claimed that she had returned the money to Dash by cash and was in possession of an agreement reached between her and Dash on court paper in the matter.