Odisha MLA Pradeep Maharathy sent to jail for attacking magistrate, cops

A special court here sent Maharathy to the special jail at Jharpada and ruled that his bail application would be heard on April 24 next and till then he would be in jail.

The court also directed that Mr Maharathi will be treated in jail after he complained of illness.

Maharathi was arrested by the police earlier today on the charges of assaulting the members of the Static Surveillance Team, flying squad and Police in his farm house at Hunkeipur under Pipili area in Puri district last night.

The former Minister was arrested on the basis of the FIR lodged by Flying squad Magistrate Rabi Narayan Patra who has been injured in the attack and admitted to Capital Hospital here.

Mr Maharathy was arrested U/S 171 (b), 186 of the people’s Representation Act 307, 353, 341, 332, 147, 148, 149, 188, 294, 333, 171 (B) & 506 of the IPC.

Sources said the members of a joint group of flying squad and SST team had gone to the farm house on the basis of intelligence reports that money and liquor is being distributed at the farm house of Mr. Maharathi.

However, the team members were attacked by Mr. Maharathi and his supporters. The magistrate, SST members and a police ASI were injured and admitted to the hospital.

Mr.Patra alleged that when the team reached the former minister’s farm house last night, Mr. Maharathi arrived at the spot and started abusing the team members. Later, he and his supporters attacked the team members.

Assistant police sub inspector Binaya Kumar Das, who accompanied the team, was also attacked and injured, besides the driver of the vehicle. The flying squad team fearing further attack from Mr. Maharathi and his supporters fled from the scene in one vehicle.

The police have seized a motorcycle and a car of Mr Maharathi. Additional police forces have been deployed in Pipili in view of the third phase elections tomorrow apprehending further law and order problem.