The Supreme Court on Monday sought the response of the Odisha government on a petition filed by former Odisha Member of Parliament and actor Anubhav Mohanty seeking the quashing of criminal proceedings initiated against him on allegations of harassment and mental cruelty made by his former wife.
The Bench of Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Vijay Bishnoi issued notice on Mohanty’s petition challenging a January 2026 judgment of the Orissa High Court, which had refused to discharge him from the criminal case.
The dispute stems from a complaint lodged in December 2020 by Mohanty’s then-wife, who alleged that he and two associates intentionally prevented her from entering a portion of their matrimonial residence despite a court order permitting her to stay there.
Mohanty and his former wife, both prominent actors in the Odia film industry, had married in February 2014. Their relationship subsequently deteriorated, resulting in several legal disputes, including divorce and domestic violence proceedings.
During proceedings under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, a magistrate had permitted Mohanty’s wife to reside on the first floor of the matrimonial house in Cuttack and directed that she be provided round-the-clock police protection.
According to the FIR, when she returned to the residence on the night of December 18, 2020 along with her protection officer, she found Mohanty and his associates present. Upon attempting to access the first floor, she allegedly discovered that the entrance had been secured with a chain and a newly installed lock.
The complaint alleged that Mohanty left the premises shortly thereafter, while one of the co-accused initially denied having the key. The lock was allegedly opened only after police authorities and a women’s helpline intervened.
Police subsequently registered a case and filed a chargesheet against Mohanty for offences including cruelty, criminal intimidation, wrongful restraint, obscenity and insulting the modesty of a woman.
The Orissa High Court had earlier refused to discharge Mohanty, observing that the allegations and evidence collected during investigation disclosed a prima facie case requiring trial. It is this order that has now been challenged before the Supreme Court.
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