Cuttack: In a setback for BJP stalwart and Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the state Assembly, the Orissa High Court has declined to grant him anticipatory bail in connection with a case relating to alleged assault of a woman police official.
The BJP leader had moved an application for anticipatory bail in the case registered by the police for allegedly assaulting an on-duty woman police officer during a demonstration held by the party in Sambalpur on February 15, this year.
Hearing his advance bail plea, High Court in its order said that there is prima facie evidence to show the involvement of Mishra in the alleged occurrence.
“As it appears, a female police officer was obstructed from performing her official duty by the petitioner and was also humiliated being slapped by him in full public view.” Justice Sashikanta Mishra said in his order of November 16.
“As regards the kidney ailment of the petitioner, nothing has been placed before this Court to suggest that the same is so serious as to require constant hospitalization or that he is unable to perform his normal day-to-day activities. Under such circumstances, this Court does not find it a fit case to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner,” the HC said.
It may be noted that the police had registered a case against Mishra for allegedly assaulting an on-duty woman police officer during a demonstration by BJP, a charge he denied.
The case was registered on a complaint by Anita Pradhan, inspector-in-charge (IIC) of Dhanupali police station in Sambalpur district. Pradhan was on duty during the BJP protest led by Mishra when the alleged incident took place.
While Mishra, MLA from Sambalpur, denied assaulting anyone and in turn accused Pradhan of manhandling him, leaders of ruling BJD had demanded his resignation as LoP.
