Banki: Senior BJD leader and former Odisha Minister Shashi Bhushan Behera failed to appear before the court of the Banki Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) Court on Saturday during the hearing of a dowry torture case filed by his daughter-in-law Ronali Behera.
As per information, Behera was reported to have skipped the hearing in the court citing health reason.
This was the second time that the former Finance Minister has skipped the court hearing in the case in which Ronali has made domestic violence and dowry torture allegations.
Though Behera failed to appear during hearing, his son Satya Bhusan Behera, who is also an accused in the case, was present in the Court during the hearing. The next hearing of the case will be held on July 10.
Taking health-related reason cited by Behera into consideration, the court has decided to hold the next hearing of the case on July 10.
It may be noted that Ronali had lodged a complaint against Behera and his family members at Banki Police Station on March 3, 2023. Ronali had married Shashi Bhushan’s son on March 3, 2021. She has accused her husband of having an illicit affair with another married woman. She also accused her husband and in-laws of torturing her for dowry.