Puri, Oct 27: On Thursday, separate courts in Odisha have given a sigh of relief to two servitors allegedly involved in the Niladri Bije debacle.
Puri additional district judge (ADJ-I) court granted conditional bail to a servitor Kashinath Khuntia while after hearing the case, the Orissa High Court ordered stay on proclamation proceeding order and non-bailable warrant (NBW) that was issued by lower court for another servitor Damodar Mahasuar. Mahasaur has also been directed by the High Court to appear before the investigating officials and corporate in the investigation.
As per sources, the conditional bail was granted to Khuntia against Rs 30,000 bond and two bailers.
Notably, Kashinath Khuntia and seven other servitors- Damodar Mahasuar, Jayakrushna Mahasuar, Saina Khuntia, Bhimshen Palankdhari, Bhagirathi Khuntia, Rabi Dash and Ipsit Pratihari were declared absconding by police for their alleged involvement in the disturbance during the Niladri Bije rituals of Lord Jagannath and his siblings on July 17.
However, Kashinath Khuntia was arrested by the Singhadwara police on October 15.
It may be noted that Khuntia was granted with interim protection till October 26 by the High Court in connection with the incident of manhandling with Puri Collector Arvind Agarwal during Niladri Bije rituals. However, he was arrested for his alleged misbehavior with reporters and delay in the conduct of Niladri Bije rituals.
