Supreme Court Requests Odisha’s Response on Anubhav Mohanty’s Petition
The Supreme Court of India has called upon the Odisha government to respond to a petition by Anubhav Mohanty, a former Member of Parliament and prominent actor, who is seeking to dismiss a criminal case initiated by his ex-wife. The case pertains to allegations of harassment and psychological cruelty. On Monday, a bench comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and Vijay Bishnoi issued a notice regarding Mohanty’s appeal against a January 2026 judgment by the Orissa High Court, which had rejected his plea for discharge from the case.
Background of the Case
The legal dispute originates from a complaint filed in December 2020 by Mohanty’s then-wife, who accused him and two associates of preventing her access to part of their shared residence, in violation of a court order that allowed her to live there. Anubhav Mohanty and his former spouse, both celebrated figures in the Odia film industry, married in February 2014. However, their marriage deteriorated, leading to multiple legal confrontations, including cases of divorce and domestic violence.
Allegations and Court Orders
During ongoing proceedings under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, a magistrate granted Mohanty’s wife the right to reside on the first floor of their matrimonial home in Cuttack, with continuous police protection. According to the First Information Report (FIR), she arrived at the residence around 10 PM on December 18, 2020, accompanied by her protection officer, only to find Mohanty and his associates present. Upon attempting to enter the first floor, she purportedly found it locked with a chain and a new lock.
Mohanty’s immediate departure from the scene followed, while one co-accused allegedly denied having the key. After contacting the police and a women’s helpline, the lock was eventually opened about an hour later, allowing her entry. The complaint contends that the incident was a calculated effort to distress and degrade her by leaving her stranded outside late at night, despite the standing court order.
Legal Proceedings
Following these events, the police filed charges against Mohanty, accusing him of cruelty, criminal intimidation, wrongful restraint, and other related offenses. His associates were also implicated. Mohanty sought dismissal of the charges at the trial court, a request that was denied, prompting him to appeal to the Orissa High Court.
More Read
The High Court refused to absolve Mohanty, highlighting that the evidence collected sufficed to establish a prima facie case. Justice BP Routray emphasized that the complainant’s claims were corroborated by testimonies from present police officers and other investigative materials. The court stated that the authenticity of allegations would be determined at trial, not at the stage of discharge, thus rejecting Mohanty’s revision petition.
Mohanty has now escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s order.
