Kantabanji: Gobinda Sahu, the key accused in murder of Kalahandi school teacher Mamita Meher, will continue to remain behind the bars as the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge in Kantabanji town of Bolangir turned down his bail plea again, Tuesday afternoon.
The court rejected the bail application after listening to contentions made by Sahu’s lawyer and the public prosecutor. The judge did not entertain Sahu’s bail petition on ground that ongoing probe of the case is presently at an initial stage.
“After hearing arguments, the Additional District and Sessions Judge rejected the bail petition of Gobinda Sahu. Police have submitted the up to date case diary before the court in a sealed cover, including statements of witnesses recorded under the Section 161 of CrPC,” public prosecutor Pramod Panigrahi said.
The accused Sahu had earlier fled from police custody and might escape again if released on bail, the court observed.
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Moreover, the court was of the opinion that as Sahu is an influential person, he might influence the probe and intimidate the witnesses in the sensational murder case.
“I will go through details of the court’s order and discuss in this regard with my client Gobinda Sahu. Accordingly, it will be decided as to what our next move will be,” counsel of the accused Mohanlal Sharma stated.
It is pertinent to mention here that Sahu’s bail petition was earlier rejected by Bangomunda Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court. He has been lodged in Kantabanji Sub-jail.
PNN