Bhubaneswar: The SUV which Chilika MLA Prashant Jagadev, who was arrested on Tuesday after being discharged from hospital, drove into a crowd on March 12, injuring 22 people, had a fake registration number.
Khurda SP Alekh Pahi informed that the police had seized the Land Rover Discovery bearing registration number OD 02 AY 5775. An inquiry by the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) found the registration number to be fake.
Pahi said a fresh case would be lodged against Jagadev for using a fake registration number.
Data provided by the mParivahan app shows OD 02 AY 5775 is the registration number of a Hyundai Creta 1.6 CRDI SX (O), and the vehicle owner is Shibani Food Products Pvt Ltd.
After his arrest, the legislator was produced before the District and Sessions Judge Court in Bhubaneswar. The police then took him in an ambulance on transit remand to produce him in the Banapur JMFC court.
While 22 people, including 10 police personnel, were injured in the March 12 incident, which took place during the block chairman election at Banapur, angry villagers caught and assaulted the legislator and also smashed his SUV.
A seriously injured Jagadev along with seven others were then shifted to Bhubaneswar for better treatment.
The incident was a grim reminder of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri incident in which four protesting farmers and a journalist were run over.
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.
