New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to suspended BJD MLA from Chilika Prashant Jagadev, who was arrested on charges of ploughing his SUV into a crowd on March 12 this year.
Setting conditions, the apex court said Jagadev cannot go to his assembly constituency for a year. He can, however, visit his constituency with prior permission from the district Collector. He has also been barred from conducting any meeting(s) with more than 5 persons at a time.
The lower court will add further bail conditions, the SC added.
The Odisha police had opposed his bail plea, stating that he was a habitual offender having as many as 13 cases registered against him. The MLA was granted bail in other cases with riders that he would not commit any crime. But he continued to violate the bail condition by committing more heinous crimes. The police also argued that it may not be safe for the witnesses if he is granted bail at this stage.
Jagadev was defended by BJD MP and senior advocate Pinaki Misra in the apex court. He claimed that the people had suffered minor injuries in the accident, which police refuted saying that one of the injured is bed-ridden for the last 5 months.
Notably, the Orissa High Court rejected his bail application on May 20.
Also Read: Orissa HC Rejects Bail Plea Of MLA Prashant Jagadev
The Chilika MLA has been booked under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to murder). He is also accused of obstructing officers from discharging their duty.
The March incident was a grim reminder of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri incident in which four protesting farmers and a journalist were run over.
