Odisha MLA Jayanarayan Mishra’s bail plea rejected by Supreme Court in police assault case

Bhubaneswar, Nov 14: In a setback for senior BJP leader and Odisha MLA Jayanarayan Mishra, the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected his anticipatory bail plea in connection with an alleged assault on a woman police officer. The case involves accusations that Mishra slapped the officer in 2023.

The bench, led by Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti, emphasized that individuals in leadership positions must set a positive example in their public conduct while dismissing the MLA’s application.

The incident in question occurred on February 15, 2023, near the Sambalpur Collectorate during a BJP sit-in protest. Mishra was accused of slapping Anitarani Pradhan, the IIC of Dhanupali police station, as BJP activists clashed with the police over concerns about the law and order situation. As tensions escalated, Mishra was seen confronting Pradhan, allegedly threatening to slap her and engaging in a scuffle, which resulted in heightened tensions.

Videos of the altercation went viral, but Mishra denied the allegations, asserting that it was he who had been assaulted by the woman officer.

Prior to approaching the Supreme Court, Mishra’s anticipatory bail request was turned down by the Orissa High Court on November 16, 2023. His legal team argued before the Supreme Court that custodial interrogation was unnecessary, as the incident was recorded on video in broad daylight.