Odisha: Union MoS files anticipatory bail plea in assault case

The incident took place in the local office room of the minister at Baripada, the district headquarter town of Mayurbhanj, during a review meeting, the complaint states.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered against Tudu under IPC sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 341 (assault), 294 (use of obscene words) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC.

The high court admitted the plea but hasn’t listed the matter for hearing yet.

Earlier this week, the investigation into the alleged assault had gained momentum after police teams had started verifying footages of the office. Tudu is yet to be questioned in the matter, a police official said.

“This is a ploy of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to defame me and my party. The ruling party had suffered a setback in the last elections in Mayurbhanj and are now turning to fallacious means to gain ground,” Tudu said. He also denied all the allegations against him.

“The investigation is still underway. We have recorded statements of the witnesses in the case under 164 of CrPC and are scanning CCTV footage,” said additional SP Suresh Chandra Patra.