BHUBANESWAR:A CBI court on Thursday turned down the plea of Mayurbhanj MP Rama Chandra Hansda who had sought bail to attend the ensuing Budget Session of Parliament to save his seat in Lok Sabha.
Hansda, currently lodged in the Special Jail in the City after being arrested for his alleged involvement in the chit fund scam, has immediately moved the Court of Khurda District and Sessions Court seeking relief.
The Court of Special CJM (CBI), which had heard two petitions of Hansda, delivered the judgment on Thursday. Citing Constitutional norms, the MP had sought bail since absence in Parliament for 60 consecutive sittings could cost him his seat.
The MP was arrested on November 4 last year for his alleged involvement in Nabadiganta Capital Services Pvt Ltd and hence could not attend the Winter Session of Parliament.
Hansda’s counsel Rabindra Nath Patsani said he has already moved the Khurda District Court seeking interim bail for his client for attending Lok Sabha. As per norms, if an MP remains absent for 60 consecutive days without permission, the House could declare his seat vacant as per Article 101(4) of the Constitution.
He had also contested the provisions of the CrPC and IPC under which chargesheet must be submitted before the court within 90 days failing which the accused will be entitled to bail. Patsani said the MP has been in jail for over 90 days and CBI is yet to submit chargesheet in Nabadiganta case.
The ruling Biju Janata Dal has already suspended Hansda from the party following his arrest.