HC reprimands, fines former minister

Expressing displeasure over the conduct of former minister Rabi Narayan Nanda, the Orissa High Court today imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the senior BJD leader from Koraput district.
For repeatedly delaying court proceedings by filing prevaricated pleas and submitting forged documents as evidence, the court rebuked the BJD leader, who has challenged the election of Jeypore Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, the counsel for Bahinipati said.
Seeking to be examined as the last witness in his case, Nanda had told the court in January this year that he was unwell and has been advised six weeks bed rest by the doctor. In support of his claim, he had submitted a medical certificate, which turned out to be a forged document.

While a show cause notice has been issued to Nanda for misleading the court that would come up for further hearing at a later date, Justice Biswnath Rath dismissed his 'sickness' plea and slapped the fine during his presence in the courtroom on the day.
Nanda was earlier fined Rs 5,000 by the same court for a procedural mistake.
Soon after dismissal of his plea, Nanda's examination-in-chief was conducted by the court. He was then cross-examined by Bahinipati's counsel for over three hours and the same would continue tomorrow as the cross-examination remained inconclusive on the day, senior advocate Pitambar Acharya, counsel for Bahinipati, said.