Summon to Congress MLA for suppressing facts

Puri, Aug 16 (UNI) Puri Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) Ramanath Panda has issued a summon to Congress MLA Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mahapatra for suppressing facts in his affidavit filed before the returning officer during the last Assembly elections.

While taking cognizance of a case filed by Sub Collector Bijaya Kumar Nayak, the Brahmagiri MLA, the court asked Mr Mohapatra to appear before the court on August 19 next.

The two sections of IPC filed against the Congress MLA invoked penal provisions for filing false affidavit before a government official and for taking false oath.

Section 177 IPC prescribed six months imprisonment or Rs 1000 fine or both, section 181 IPC prescribed punishment for three years and fine. All the sections are bailable and triable by first class magistrate.

The sub collector who was the returning officer for the state Assembly polls had lodged a complaint in the SDJM court on August 10 last.

In his petition, he complained that S D Dasburma, the then Biju Janata Dal candidate for the Brahmagiri seat, had alleged that the Congress MLA was involved in a criminal case under Wildlife Protection Act in Angul.

The petition further prayed for initiation of criminal prosecution against the legislator. Congress MLA L B Mahapatrta has done a hat trick by winning the Brahmagiri seat thrice in a row.

UNI XC DP SP SS2121