Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court’s order in the Mahanga double murder case involving former Odisha minister Pratap Jena, stating that the decision has made his legal position in the matter clear.
In a statement, BJD said the party welcomed the development and reiterated its faith in the judicial process. The party maintained that allegations should be examined on the basis of evidence and judicial orders rather than political narratives.
The statement described the Supreme Court’s order as a clarification of the legal position concerning Jena’s alleged involvement in the case. Every individual is entitled to a fair legal process and an impartial hearing under the law, it said.
The case dates back to January 2, 2021, when Kulamani Baral, former chairman of Mahanga block, and his associate Dibyasingha Baral were allegedly murdered while travelling through Jankoti village under Nurtanga panchayat in Kataka, formerly Cuttack, district.
Following the incident, Kulamani’s elder son Ramakanta Baral, accused 13 people, including Pratap Jena, of involvement in the double murder.
After Ramakanta’s death, his younger brother Ranjit Baral pursued the legal proceedings. The matter subsequently reached the Orissa High Court, which ruled in Jena’s favour. Ranjit later challenged the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court.
Welcoming the latest development, the BJD said truth and justice must prevail and reiterated that the law should be allowed to take its own course without political interference or prejudice.
In his reaction, Pratap Jena claimed that his name was dragged into the murder case as part of a conspiracy. However, truth has come to light with the apex court order, he said.
