The Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court here did not make the personal attendance of MlA Chiranjib Biswal in each hearing mandatory but kept certain conditions in a poll dispute case. The court ruled that MlA Biswal should appear before the court as and when required; his lawyer who represents him will remain present during each hearing and evidence that will be recorded in his absence will not be objected further. Biswal has to also furnish an undertaking before the court on February 2 in this regard, the court said while deciding over a petition filed by Biswal for reprieve from personal appearance in each hearing.
Notably, former MlA Bishnu Das who contested unsuccessfully from Jagatsinghpur Assembly seat in 2014 had lodged a complaint case against his rival Biswal stating during filing of nomination papers Biswal had furnished false affidavit on his asset, leading to violation of Election Rules 1961 and Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951. The SDJM court acting on the complaint had registered a case under Section 125-A of the Representation of People Act 1951 and issued summon to Biswal.