Prasanta Jagdev's bail rejected in EVM vandalism case

Bhubaneswar, May 31: In a setback for Chilika MLA and BJP Khurda MLA candidate Prasanta Jagdev, the Khurda Additional District Sessions-II court declined his bail plea concerning the alleged vandalism of an electronic voting machine (EVM).

Jagdev was apprehended on May 26 under accusations of overturning an EVM and assaulting two polling personnel at booth no. 114 of Kaunripatana in Bolagarh block, Bengunia Assembly constituency, during the third-round elections on May 25. Apart from provisions under the Representation of People’s Act, he faces charges under Sections 294 (use of abusive, humiliating or defamatory language), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the IPC.

Currently incarcerated in Khurda jail, Jagdev may pursue bail through an application to the Orissa High Court, according to sources.

Earlier, speaking to the media, senior advocate Pitambar Acharya, representing Jagdev, asserted the MLA's innocence, alleging procedural irregularities in his arrest. Acharya claimed Jagdev was detained without an FIR and cited purported mistreatment during detention. He further criticized the handling of the case, suggesting it was orchestrated to influence neighboring districts.