State BJP leader and party spokesperson Golak Mohapatra failed to depose before the Ganjam police on Thursday in connection with the case of murder of Chhatrapur NAC Councillor Laxmidutta Pradhan.
Mohapatra expressed his inability to appear before the cops citing health problems. He, through his lawyer, sought an additional time of one month for appearance before the Chhatrapur police. Reportedly, Mohapatra’s lawyer met Chhatrapur SDPO, who would decide on the next date of his deposition.
The Chhatrapur police had earlier on January 29 summoned Mohapatra in connection with the murder case to depose on February 7.
Notably, on September 16, 2017, a group of men dragged Chhatrapur NAC Ward-6 Councillor Laxmidutta, out of his house at Suryanagar in Chhatrapur and attacked him with sharp weapons. He was rushed to the MKCG Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Three special teams led by the Ganjam district Superintendent of Police were formed to arrest the assailants, who fled from the spot after committing the crime. Laxmidutta’s brother also sustained injuries in a bid to save him. So far, 19 persons have been arrested and the charge-sheet in the case has been filed. However, some other suspects are still at large, police informed.
Mohapatra had been questioned by the Chhatrapur police on November 2 last when he was quizzed about his alleged links with the key conspirators of the case Krushna Nayak and Duryodhan Reddy and his alleged conversations with them over phone.