A Special Judge in the Additional District Judge Court here on Monday deferred the hearing of arrested Patnagarh BJD MLA Saroj Kumar Meher’s bail plea to July 5. The MLA, who was arrested for forcing a Works Department Junior Engineer to do sit-up over inferior quality road construction work, was later sent to the Jharpada Special Jail.
During the court proceedings, Meher fought his own case and presented his side since lawyers are on strike. On the other hand, his opponents, including JE Jaykant Sabar and his wife presented their sides. The court also asked the Jharpada jail authorities to take decision on the MLA’s treatment. Earlier in the day, the Legislator was shifted to Bhubaneswar from Patnagarh jail for hearing of his bail plea.
Notably, to hear cases involving MLAs and MPs, a special court has been set up in the State capital. Earlier, the court had issued notices to the Legislator, Sabar, his wife Praveena Rajahans, Patnagarh SDPO and Government advocate of Patnagarh ADJ court asking them to remain present during the hearing of the case.