Controversial trade union and Congress leader Bapi Sarkhel, who is in judicial custody in connection with the murder of Seaways stevedoring company Paradip general manager Mahendra Swain, on Monday filed a bail application in the District Sessions Judge Court here seeking bail.
The bail plea after being taken for brief hearing at the court was posted to be heard again on December 26. The judge called for the case diaries (CDs from police in the matter.
Soon after Sarkhel was arrested on November i7, police had presented him in Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court at Kujang. Sarkhel had sought bail, but the court rejected his bail application due to its lack of judicial dominion as he has been involved in a murder case attracting Section 302 IPC and sent him to jail.
Senior High Court lawyer Devasnana Das accompanied by few local criminal lawyers filed the bail application in district judge court on Monday denying Sarkhel’s involvement in the murder case and arguing that police have been unable to gather concrete evidence against him.