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MLA-elect released from jail

BERHAMPUR: Manoj Pradhan, BJP leader who had contested while in jail to win from the G. Udaygiri Assembly constituency in the violence-hit Kandhamal district, was released from Phulbani district jail on Sunday on interim bail.

Mr Pradhan is likely to take oath as a member of the Assembly on Monday.

Mr Pradhan is a prime accused in the communal riots that occurred in Kandhamal district in 2008. Cases of arson, violence and murder are pending against him. He has also pending against him seven murder cases, a case of murder attempt and six cases related to torching of houses. He was granted interim bail by the Orissa High Court on Saturday to enable him to take oath as a member of the Assembly. But this conditional bail is for 15 days.

But Mr Pradhan could not get released from jail on Saturday as the required documents could not be furnished. He was set free after his lawyers provided the required documents to the jail authorities. He came out into the open after around eight months behind the bars. He was earlier lodged in Baliguda jail. Later he was transferred to Phulbani jail for security reasons.

Mr Pradhan was arrested by police in October 2008. Two days ago a fast track court in Phulbani had also granted him bail in two cases. Before that he had also got bail in 12 other cases pending against him.

Speaking to newsmen after coming out of the jail, Mr Pradhan alleged that all cases lodged against him in relation to communal riots were false and politically motivated. He thanked his voters for getting him elected to prove that all allegations were false. He added that now his prime motto would be the development of his constituency.

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