Bhubaneswar, Jan 13: The Orissa High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to singer Arpita Choudhury and musician Somesh Satpathy in connection with the Markatnagar police station case related to the death of popular singer Humane Sagar. The order was passed after a preliminary hearing on the anticipatory bail applications filed by the two artistes.

A bench headed by Justice V. Narasimha directed the investigating agency to submit the case diary for further examination. The court also permitted the petitioners to implead Humane Sagar’s mother, Shefali Suna, as a party to the case. Accordingly, a notice has been issued to her as respondent number two.

The High Court ordered that Arpita and Somesh should not be taken into custody till the next date of hearing, while making it clear that they must fully cooperate with the police investigation. The matter has been posted for further hearing on February 16.

It may be recalled that on December 21, based on a complaint filed by Shefali Suna, Markatnagar police registered a case against Arpita, Somesh, and nine others. Subsequently, the duo approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

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