JEYPORE: Even as investigation into the Jeypore lynching case continues, the SDJM Court here on Monday granted bail to 13 persons who were arrested in connection with the incident last week. Those persons, belonging to Palakaput village, had allegedly torched the four-wheeler in which the four ganja smugglers were travelling.
The four smugglers - Arjuna Yala, Anand Shyam, Prakash Jaispal, Ranucharana Kar, all belonging to Rajendragaon under Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh - had come to Nuaput village during wee hours of April 9 in a jeep to collect ganja stock from traders of Malkangiri and Koraput. On reaching Nuaput village, some history-sheeters learnt that they were carrying cash and intercepted the vehicle. In an altercation that ensued, the four were lynched.
Following the incident, police had arrested 51 persons including five ganja smugglers. Jeypore Sadar police said 14 people from Nuaput village had been arrested for assaulting, 19 from Balia village for the mayhem and 13 of Palakaput on arson charges.
Koraput IG (South Western range) Yeshwant Jethwa said the 13 persons got bail because the cases against them were not serious in nature.