Jeypore Congress MlA and Opposition Chief Whip in Assembly Tara Prasad Bahinipati surrendered before the Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM), Jeypore and was later released on conditional anticipatory bail of the Orissa High Court on Saturday.
He was charged of inciting mob in disrupting and dismantling a country wine distillery at Borigumma on March10 last.
A case was filed against Bahinipati and his supporters for involvement in the wine factory disruption at Borigumma. Bahinipati had appealed for an anticipatory bail before the Orissa High Court suspecting risk. The High Court allowed his anticipatory bail with a direction to be present before the SDJM, Jeypore.
Bahinipati had to furnish two sureties of Rs 20,000 each and fulfil other conditions instructed by the court while being allowed the bail.
Bahinipati alleged that he and his supporters were dragged into the controversy at the behest of the BJD Government. “Peacefully we were protesting at the distillery at Borigumma and neither me nor any of my supporters was involved in the ransacking of the distillery on that day,” said the MlA, reiterating that the anti liquor campaign would continue.
Meanwhile, criticising Bhahinipati, BJD party spokesperson and former Minister Rabi Narayan Nanda said, “The Jeypore MlA should not take the law into his hand while doing this kind of activity.” Bahinipati should follow the conditions that have been ordered by the court at least now, he added.