BJD Leader Elina Das Moves Orissa HC On Balle Balle Dhaba Issue

Bhubaneswar: BJD leader Elina Das has moved Orissa High Court to clear her name in Balle Balle dhaba issue and sought a detailed investigation into the matter.

Speaking to media persons after filing the writ petition in the High Court in Cuttack, Eline did not divulge the details of her plea and said law will take its own course.

“Please ask my lawyer about the petition. Have patience, I will definitely talk to you later. I will convene a press conference and speak my side of story at right time,” she said.

Her advocate Byomkesh Tripathy said, “Neither Eline nor her husband has any connection with Balle Balle dhaba. There is no evidence against them in this regard. Elina has never go to the restaurant. She is targeted for being a BJD leader.”

He further said she has filed the petition to stop dragging her name on the issue. “We have appealed to the high court for a detailed investigation into the matter. Director General of Police, Home secretary, BDO and IIC of Dharmasala police station have been names as respondents,” he added.

It may be noted that Balle Balle dhaba at Dharmasala in Jajpur district was sealed on the direction of Dharmasala BDO Debendra Prasad Bal on Tuesday. A notice to vacate it in 3 days was issued on June 28.

The administration took the step after newly-elected Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo found irregularities in the functioning of the dhaba during a review of block development works recently.

While the restaurant was reportedly run by an actress-turned-BJD leader, it was alleged that former BJD MLA from Dharmasala Pranab Balabantaray was managing the show from behind the scenes. It was also alleged that the dhaba was illegally constructed on the premises of Dharmasala Bhawan, which was built to host cultural and social functions of the local people. MPLAD and MLALAD funds were also allegedly pumped into this dhaba.