Double Murder Case In Odisha: MLA Pratap Jena Fails To Appear In Court, Hearing Date Extended

Cuttack: The JMFC court at Salipur has again shifted the hearing of the case against BJD MLA Pratap Jena in a double murder case.

In the last hearing of the case on October 31, Jena had failed to appear before the court and his lawyer had sought exemption to the former minister from personal appearance. But the court shifted the hearing to November 18. As Jena did not appear personally, the court extended the hearing but did not fix the next date of hearing the case.

Jena’s lawyer submitted to the court that since the case was sub-judice in the Orissa High Court, he wanted more time. Granting more time to Jena, the JMFC court extended the date.

The hearing was related to two petitions filed by Jena and the other by victim’s family. In his petition, Jena appealed for exemption from personal appearance in the court. The other petition sought to add the petition of Jena’s personal appearance to the main case.

The main case is related to the alleged murder of Kulamani Baral and Dibyasingh Baral. After the police filed the charge sheets, the JMFC court, in its order on September 25, took cognisance of the offenses against Jena as an accused in the double murder case.

However, on November 2, the High Court had stayed any coercive action against the MLA by the JMFC court.