File photo of Leslie Tripathy

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 22: Oriya album-actress Leslie Tripathy was today cross-examined by the defence counsel in a local court over the kidnapping of Arun Mantri.

Mantri, brother of album- actress Bidusmita, was allegedly kidnapped by gangster Sandeep Acharya alias Raja and his henchman Akshya Behera alias Chagala on March 9, 2008. Raja and his aide Chagala were sent to Jharpada Jail after being convicted by a lower court for killing judo coach Biranchi Das on April 13, 2008. The two were sentenced to life imprisonment by a fast track court on December 17 and their appeal before the high court is pending.

The duo had allegedly kidnapped Arun Mantri from his Siripur residence on March 9, 2008, to put pressure on Leslie into accepting a relationship with Raja, who was in love with the actress. Arun had been kept locked up in a slum in BJB Nagar.

According to Arun’s lawyer Siddharth Das, his client had called up Leslie on his mobile phone on the day he was kidnapped and asked her to talk to Raja so that he could be released. Subsequently, Raja called up Leslie from Arun’s mobile phone and told her to come to him, or else he would kill both her and Arun. After that conversation, Leslie called up Raja and pleaded with him to release Arun.

Raja released Arun on March 10. The victim lodged a complaint with the Khandagiri police against Raja and Chagala. On August 10, 2008, the police chargesheeted the duo on several counts, including kidnapping and attempt to murder.

On Monday, Leslie had given her statement before the assistant sessions judge Lokanath Mohapatra. She reiterated the charges against the two accused. Today, Raja’s counsel Jagannath Sahu cross-examined her. He said Leslie could not satisfactorily answer his questions.

Another key witness in the case, Jubuli Sundaray, a music director and friend of Leslie and Bidusmita, will appear before the court on Thursday.