Mahanga Double Murder: Odisha Court Rejects Time Petition, Issues Show-Cause to IIC

Cuttack: The Court of Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Salepur, on Saturday rejected the time petition and issued show-cause notice to Mahanga police station IIC Nihar Mohanty for not appearing before it and repeatedly seeking more time to file reinvestigation report and Call Data Records (CDR).

The court had on Friday concluded the hearing on personal appearance of Mohanty, the investigating officer in the double murder case, and reserved the verdict.

Mohanty had stated that the matter was referred to state-level officials and the updated case diary will be submitted in court after permission from higher authorities.

On Thursday, the court had directed the IIC to appear in person for hearing on his adjournment petition. However, instead of appearing in person, Mohanty submitted a petition through an additional public prosecutor requesting the court that his personal attendance may kindly be dispensed.

Earlier, the court had ordered a fresh investigation into the alleged involvement of Law Minister Pratap Jena in the double murder case. It had directed Mahanga IIC to collect and preserve CDRs of the accused persons and file reinvestigation status report by November 25.