CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Friday granted bail to BJP MLA Manoj Pradhan in the Kandhamal riot case. Justice Sanju Panda granted conditional bail to Pradhan on a personal bond of `20,000 and two sureties.
The bail was granted on certain conditions like Pradhan would not leave the country without the permission of the trial court and refrain from influencing the evidences and witnesses related to the case. This is the second time the high court has granted him bail.
The G Udaygiri MLA had surrendered at a Phulbani fast track court on March 9 after the Supreme Court set aside the bail granted to him by the Orissa High Court. The MLA was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment by the fast track court on June 29, 2010, in connection with the murder of Bikram Nayak during the Kandhamal communal riots.
Nayak was killed at Barepanga village within Raikia police limits on August 27, 2008. Pradhan had moved the high court against the order and secured bail on July 7, 2010. However, Nayak's widow Kanakrekha, moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court order. The apex court on January 25 had withdrawn the bail granted by the high court. After surrendering, the MLA had once again appealed for bail in the high court.
"The high court granted bail to Manoj Pradhan on the condition that he will not influence the witnesses and leave the country without the permission of the trial court," Pradhan's counsel Sarbeswar Behera said.
