The Orissa High Court granted interim protection to singer Arpita Choudhury and music composer Somesh Satpathy in connection with the case linked to the death of Ollywood playback singer Humane Sagar.
The court heard their anticipatory bail plea in a case registered at Markat Nagar police station in Cuttack. Moreover, the bench directed that the two applicants should not be taken into custody until the next date of hearing. Additionally, the judges asked the state government to submit the case diary for review.
The division bench headed by Justice V. Narasingh clarified that the interim protection is conditional on Arpita Choudhury and Somesh Satpathy cooperating fully with the investigating agency. Furthermore, the High Court allowed the applicants to implead Humane Sagar’s mother and complainant, Sephali Suna, as a party in the matter.
The case will be heard again on February 16. Until then, the interim order restraining arrest will remain in force.
Humane Sagar’s mother, Sephali Suna, lodged a complaint at Markat Nagar police station on December 21. Consequently, police registered a case against nine persons, including Arpita Choudhury and Somesh Satpathy. Later, both moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.
Suna alleged that the circumstances surrounding her son’s death were suspicious and demanded a thorough investigation. In her complaint, she urged police to probe foul play, poisoning, intoxication, harassment, abetment, conspiracy, negligence, financial motives, and tampering with evidence, including digital records. She also requested questioning of individuals closely associated with her son.
Humane Sagar, one of the most loved voices in the Odia music industry, died on November 17 while undergoing treatment for multiple health complications at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. He was 36.
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