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BJP demands Patnaik's resignation

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday demanded that Orissa Chief Minister J B Patnaik step down and face the Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the Anjana Mishra molestation case.

BJP's leader in Orissa legislature, Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, said at a media conference that the CBI should take note of the allegation that Patnaik was involved in the scandal.

He charged the chief minister with committing a greater crime than that by former advocate-general Indrajit Ray, who had been chargesheeted by the CBI for suppressing evidence.

On Monday, the copy of the much-debated affidavit containing serious allegations against Patnaik was submitted before the sub divisional judicial magistrate in Bhubaneswar.

Public notary Madhu Madhab Jena, who claimed that Congress leader and former state corporation chief Jayadev Panda had sworn the affidavit before him, submitted the copy before Magistrate A K Mishra.

With this, the issue has taken a new turn. Panda had earlier denied that neither he knew the public notary nor had he sworn any affidavit before him. He threatened to sue two language dailies, which published the contents of the affidavit a fortnight ago.

The public notary, who had been accused of forgery after Panda filed a first information report before the police, was released on bail Monday. He put up a bond of Rs 5,000 and two sureties each for the same amount.

Jena had moved the bail petition before the SDJM apprehending threat to his life and his family members from police. He also filed a contempt petition, alleging that the police had raided his house on October 8 without a search warrant.

Jena alleged that Panda filed the FIR on October 6 and the police moved for a search warrant before the court on October 7. While the matter was pending before the court, the Khandagiri police in Bhubaneswar raided his house on October 8 and seized some documents.

The SDJM, however, postponed further hearing on the contempt proceedings to Wednesday. The court issued a show cause to the police and directed the Khurda superintendent of police to provide security to the public notary and family members.

UNI

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