BJP candidate from Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency Ashok Sahu, who was sent to jail for his alleged hate speech, was released today, prison officials said.
"Sahu was released from the sub jail in G Udayagiri this afternoon after documents were furnished as per the procedures," jail superintendent B N Mahalik said.A large number of his supporters and party workers greeted and garlanded him as slogans were shouted as he stepped out of jail.
Sahu had been granted bail yesterday by district and sessions judge on a bond of Rs 10,000 and surety.He had been sent to judicial custody by a lower court at Baliguda for two weeks as his bail plea was rejected after his arrest on April 14.
The BJP candidate, who had twice given the slip to the police, was taken into custody while participating in a motorcycle rally. He was booked under Sections of the Representation of People's Act and IPC for allegedly delivering a hate speech at an election rally at Raikia where he allegedly blamed Christians for the killing of VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati.