New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the bail application of Odisha legislator and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jayanarayan Mishra in connection with a case lodged against him after he allegedly slapped a woman police officer
The Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti dismissed the anticipatory bail application, saying, “Those in leadership positions have to set an example for public behaviour.”
The case against Mishra is that on February 15, 2023, he organised a sit-in protest in front of the Sambalpur Collectorate.
The agitators were stopped by the police when they rushed towards the gate of the collectorate.
A woman police official approached Mishra but he allegedly used profanities against her, touched her inappropriately, and slapped her on the cheek.
A criminal case was lodged against Mishra subsequently, citing the offences of outraging the modesty of a woman, defamation, obscenity, criminal intimidation, wrongful restraint and using criminal force on a public servant.
Mishra denied the allegations and reportedly counter-alleged that it was the woman officer who had misbehaved and assaulted him.
After the Orissa High Court denied Mishra anticipatory bail on November 16, 2023, the legislator approached the Supreme Court for relief.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh with advocates Sarthak Nayak and Satish Kumar appeared for Mishra and argued that there was no need for a custodial interrogation since the alleged incident occurred in broad daylight and was captured on video.
Mishra’s counsel argued that the police were ill-advised by some inimical persons who lodged the false complaint only to harass and defame the petitioner.
The Court had earlier granted Mishra interim protection in the matter. However, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh said this protection will end today.
The Court, however, refused to accept Mishra’s submissions and dismissed the plea.
