Criminal case filed against suspended BJD MP Baijayant Panda

Bhubaneswar: The Kendrapra Police on Friday registered a criminal case against suspended Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Baijayant Panda for allegedly filing an incorrect affidavit during the 2014 general elections.

The case has been registered at Kendrapara Town Police Station against Panda under section 125 (A) of the Representation of the People Act (RPA) and sections 419 and 420 of the IPC for allegedly submitting a “false affidavit” during the 2014 general elections.

The criminal case was registered following orders by the Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) Court, Kendrapara.

SDJM court order came following a hearing on the petition of Dilip Das, a resident of the district, who alleged that Panda’s election affidavit did not list his position as vice-chairman of Indian Metal and Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA) or his salary in crores.

Das had pleaded for annulling Panda’s membership of the Lok Sabha.

Earlier, Panda dismissed the allegation as ‘bizarre’ and dared BJD leaders to either move the Election Commission of India or the Orissa high court on the issue.

The four-time MP was suspended from the BJD on January 24 for alleged anti-party activities.