Cuttack, Jan 13: The Orissa High Court on Monday granted interim protection from arrest to singer Arpita Choudhury and music composer Somesh Satpathy in connection with a case linked to the death of popular Ollywood playback singer Humane Sagar.
Hearing their anticipatory bail plea in a case registered at Markat Nagar police station in Cuttack, the High Court directed that the two applicants shall not be taken into custody until the next date of hearing. The court also asked the State government to submit the case diary for perusal.
However, the court made it clear that the interim relief is conditional, stating that Arpita Choudhury and Somesh Satpathy must fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The order was passed by a division bench headed by Justice V. Narasingh after a preliminary hearing of the anticipatory bail application.
The High Court further allowed the applicants to implead Humane Sagar’s mother and complainant, Sephali Suna, as a party to the case.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on February 16. The interim protection restraining the arrest of the two applicants will remain in force till then.
It may be recalled that Sephali Suna had lodged a complaint at Markat Nagar police station on December 21, following which police registered a case against nine persons, including Arpita Choudhury and Somesh Satpathy. Subsequently, the duo approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.
