Updated on Saturday, July 04, 2009, 23:23 IST

Bhubaneswar, July 04: A local court in Kandhamal today granted 15-day conditional bail to BJP MLA Manoj Pradhan, one of the prime accused in last year's communal riot in the tribal dominated district.

Pradhan, languishing in jail ever since he was arrested in October, 2008 on charges of murder, riot, arson and other crimes, was elected to Orissa assembly from G Udaygiri segment in recent polls.

The court granted bail to the MLA on the basis of a Orissa High Court order. Pradhan had earlier moved the High Court seeking bail to be able to take oath as a member of the legislative assembly.

Though Pradhan was given bail, he could not be released from jail today due to procedural delay. He is facing seven murder cases, six relating to house torching and an attempt to murder case.

"Pradhan has been granted bail for 15 days. He is likely to take oath as MLA either on Monday or Tuesday," state BJP president Suresh Pujari told a news agency.

Bureau Report