HC grants regular bail to MLA Biswal

Ailing BJD MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal was on Tuesday granted regular bail by the Orissa High Court. The Cuttack-Choudwar legislator was arrested by the CBI on September 19 last year in connection with his alleged complicities with the Seashore Group of Companies, which duped hundreds of its small investors.

The four-time MLA was immediately taken ill soon after his arrest and was hospitalised. While his condition had deteriorated at the SCB Medical College Hospital here, the High Court on April 24 this year had granted him a conditional interim bail for two months to facilitate his treatment at better facilities.

While the MLA continues to be under treatment here, the High Court on Tuesday adjudicating his regular application allowed his plea. The bail was allowed with the same conditions that were imposed during the grant of interim bail two months ago.Justice Biswanath Rath, while allowing Biswal to go on bail,  asked him to deposit a cash of Rs 20 lakh in any nationalised bank and submit receipt of the deposit in the trial court. Biswal was also asked to furnish bail bonds by two sureties with Rs five lakh each, among other conditions.