Damodar Rout outside the Kujang judicial magistrate first class court on Monday. Telegraph picture

Paradip, April 4: Agriculture minister Damodar Rout today surrendered in a local court and secured bail in a criminal case pertaining to his alleged anti-Dalit remarks. The minister is facing a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act.

Following the directives of Orissa High Court, the minister presented himself before the Kujang judicial magistrate first class (JMFC). The court granted him bail with surety and Rs 20,000 bond.

While granting him bail, judicial magistrate Alpana Swain asked Rout to “desist from acts that would influence the investigation and witnesses in any manner. He was asked to cooperate with the investigating agency and was directed to refrain from making further objectionable remarks,” said the minister’s counsel Sachidananda Biswal.

“The matter is sub-judice. I should not make any comment. I would like to say that I am completely innocent and my opponents have hatched a conspiracy to defame me. The law would take its course,” said Rout.

A criminal case was registered against Rout under the Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, following complaints by Manoj Bhoi and Rabi Dalei. The complainants had accused Rout of using “casteist remarks” against local MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai, MLA Bishnu Charan Das and Jagatsinghpur additional district magistrate Upendra Mallick during a public meeting on August 18 last year.

Several local organisations have stepped up their demand seeking Rout’s ouster from the cabinet for his remarks against Dalits. They have given a call for bandh in the district on April 9.

Rout’s political rivals in the district have also seized the opportunity to seek his removal from Naveen Patnaik’s government.

Last year, Rout was accused of extending political patronage to Kujang ex-block chairperson Sarojini Sahu in connection with an impersonation case.