Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court today dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of senior BJP MLA and ex-Leader of Opposition Jayanarayan Mishra, accused of slapping a woman police officer during a protest in 2023.
On February 15, 2023, BJP workers clashed with the police during a protest in front of the Sambalpur District Collector’s office. During the same, police officers attempted to stop protestors when they approached the office gate. A female police officer approached Mishra, but allegedly, he slapped her and used disrespectful language. Thereafter, an FIR was lodged against him.
Mishra had filed an anticipatory bail application in the High Court in the said case. The High Court had rejected his application. Mishra challenged the High Court’s decision and moved the Supreme Court.
A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti of the Supreme Court rejected the plea for anticipatory bail, considering that a fair investigation was required, which may be prejudiced if the prayed relief was granted.
