Cuttack: In a huge relief for actor-turned-politician Anubhav Mohanty, the Orissa High Court on Thursday ordered a stay on his non-bailable arrest warrant (NBW) in connection with a four-year-old domestic violence case registered against him by his now-divorced wife Varsha Priyadarshini.
This came three days after the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Cuttack, Deepankar Bal, dealing with cases against MPs and MLAs, issued the NBW following the continued absence of the Parliamentarian from hearing for framing of charges against him in the case, and ordered its execution by May 23.
Earlier, the special court had dismissed a discharge petition filed by Anubhav after the prosecution objected to a mini-trial at this stage and submitted that the investigating officer had made out a prima facie case with sufficient evidence and witnesses.
In December 2020, Varsha had lodged a complaint with Purighat police station, alleging that Anubhav and two of his friends had locked her in a room in his house at Nandi Sahi in Cuttack on the night December 18 even as the estranged couple were locked in a divorce battle with the actress seeking restitution of conjugal rights.
A police team had then reached the house of the parliamentarian and rescued her.
After probe, police had filed a chargesheet naming Anubhav Mohanty as prime accused in the case under Sections 509 (insulting modesty of woman), 498 A (cruelty), 341 (wrongful restraint), 294 (use of obscene language) and 506 (criminal intimidation) on December 18, 2023.
In December 2023, Kendrapada MP scored a big victory when the Orissa High Court granted him divorce from his actor wife, invalidating the order in which the Family Court, Cuttack, had rejected his petition. He received his decree of divorce in February this year after 10 ten years of marriage.
The court of SDJM, Cuttack, then took cognisance of the case on December 20, 2023, and sent it for framing of charges by special court for MPs and MLAs.
The long and bitter legal battle, which began with Anubhav moving a Delhi court for divorce in July 2020 citing non-consummation of his marriage with the actress, now seems far from over.
While Anubhav has since then switched sides from BJD to BJP and can be seen campaigning extensively for the saffron party, Varsha is contesting the upcoming elections from Barchana on BJD ticket.
Anubhav had also hoped to earn a ticket from Barabati-Cuttack but the party chose to field state unit vice president Dr Purna Chandra Mahapatra.
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