Bhubaneswar, March 12: The district and sessions court of Puri today granted bail to 70-year-old Saradhamani Mahapatra, who was arrested by district police for her alleged involvement in the murderous attack on law, tourism and culture minister Maheswar Mohanty on February 21.

Saradhamani, the mother of the murdered former BJD councillor Talachhu Bhagaban Mahapatra alias Guna Singhari, was arrested on March 1 on charges of murder and conspiracy. She was booked under sections 307 and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code.

Following two deferred hearings on March 4 and 10 due to failure of the police to submit the case diary, the hearing came up today and she was granted bail with Rs 10,000 personal recognizant (PR) bond.

“The court showed leniency to the elderly woman and granted her bail,” said her advocate Biranchi Narayan Das.

The attack on Mohanty, the police had suspected, was the fallout of a political rivalry. Saradhamani’s son was murdered in August 2012.

At that time, it was suspected that Mohanty, who represents Puri in the Assembly, had been involved in the murder. Most of the accused persons had worked with the slain leader at some time or the other.

Four accused persons, who had opened fire at the minister while he was returning home on February 21 evening on a scooty, were arrested from Andhra Pradesh on February 28. Following their arrest, the police had arrested Guna Singhari’s mother.

Though the police had categorically denied Mohanty’s involvement in the Singarhi murder case, the accused suspected Mohanty to be behind the murder of their employer and they tried to eliminate him.