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Mahanti interim bail extended

Correspondent

Rajasthan police team camping in Cuttack

CUTTACK: Facing arrest threat from Rajasthan police, the beleaguered top cop B B Mahanti, a senior IPS officer of DGP rank, got some more breather when the Orissa High Court on Monday extended his interim bail to February 15.

The single judge bench comprising Justice Laxmikanta Mohapatra, who is adjudicating over the anticipatory bail petition of Mahanti, extended the protection to the petitioner when the Rajasthan Government prayed for another 10 days time to file the documentary evidences in the form of an affidavit and case diaries pertaining to the FIR filed against Mahanti.

With this court ruling, Mahanti who is alleged to have a role in his son Biti's disappearance and for which he is facing a criminal case in Rajasthan cannot be arrested till February 15 next.Rajasthan Home Secretary B L Arya representing through local lawyers Prasanna Kumar Parhi and Gyanalok Mohanty sought for the time, which was allowed by the Justice Mohapatra. The HC also fixed the next hearing of the anticipatory bail petition of the IPS officer to Feb. 15. The Rajasthan police last month registered an FIR against Mahanti for allegedly aiding, abetting and harbouring his son who has jumped parole while serving a seven-year jail term in Jaipur for raping a German tourist. Fearing his arrest, the senior IPS officer had moved the State High Court seeking an advance bail.

Charges denied

In his petition Mahanti had denied the charges levelled against him. He has even denied in his petition of visiting Jaipur or being a surety to release his son on parole. The court to ascertain the maintainability of the case had issued notice to Rajasthan Government and had directed its police not to arrest the petitioner.

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