Former Odisha minister’s son gets bail in dowry case

Bhubaneswar, April 5 (IANS) The district and sessions court Friday granted bail to Raja Shree Mohanty, son of former Odisha minister Raghunath Mohanty, over a fortnight after he was arrested for allegedly torturing his wife for dowry, his lawyer said.

The district and sessions judge at the district headquarters town of Balasore, V. Jayashree, granted bail on condition that Mohanty not leave the state without permission from the court, and co-operate with the police in investigations, lawyer Gouri Kumar Barik told IANS.

In her complaint at a police station in Balasore, about 220 km from here, Barsa Swony Choudhury alleged that she had been physically and mentally tortured by her husband Raja Shree since their wedding in June 2012.

She also alleged that her father-in-law Raghunath, mother-in-law Pritilata, sister-in-law Rupashree and other family members were also involved in the crime.

She claimed that her parents had given Rs.10 lakh at the time of the marriage, as was demanded, but her husband and family-in-law were unhappy, insisting that her parents pay Rs.25 lakh and also give them a multi-utility vehicle.

While Raja Shree was arrested March 17, his parents were arrested from Kolkata March 30. Another local court had granted bail to the parents April 2.

Raja Shree’s father Raghunath Mohanty is a five-time legislator from Basta constituency in Balasore district, who resigned from the state cabinet March 15, a day after his daughter-in-law lodged a complaint with the police against her husband and members of his family.

Mohanty, 64, had been holding the portfolios of law, urban development and information technology.

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