Former BJD MLA sent to jail in booth rigging case

Sambalpur, Feb 14 (UNI) Former BJD MLA Ashok Panigrahi and six others were today remanded to jail custody on the charges of alleged rigging of booths during the first phase of panchayat elections in Barpali block under Baragarh district yesterday.

Police said Mr Panigrahi and his supporters had rigged the Junabrahamni and Paleipali booths under Barpali block during the polling.

A former MLA from Bijepur, Mr Panigrahi was immediately suspended from the party by BJD President Naveen Patnaik for indulging in anti-party activities.

Although the police registered cases against nine people in connection with the booth capturing and rigging, Mr Panigrahi and six others were produced before a court in Bargarh after being arrested.

The party also suspended Rengali Panchayat Samitee Vice President M.B.Pyari for indulging in anti-party activities.

UNI