Sidheswar Ranbida vs State Of Odisha
2021 Latest Caselaw 6301 Ori

              IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

                               CRLA No.74 of 2018


            Sidheswar Ranbida                      ....           Appellant
                                                   Mr. S. Panda, Advocate
                                        -versus-
            State of Odisha                        ....          Respondent
                                              Mr. J. Katikia, AGA for State

                      CORAM:
                      THE CHIEF JUSTICE


                                       ORDER

10.06.2021 Order No. I. A. No.1096 of 2020

13. 1. This matter is taken up by video conferencing mode.

2. This interlocutory application for bail has been filed by the Appellant, who has been convicted by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Boudh by judgment dated 27th February, 2017 in Sessions Trial No.93 of 2016 (T) for the offences under Section 306 and 498 (A) IPC and sentenced to undergo seven years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) along with fine of Rs.10,000/- and in default to suffer further RI for six months for the offence under Section 306 IPC and two years of simple imprisonment (SI) with fine of Rs.2,000/- and in default to suffer SI for three months for the offence under Section 498 (A) IPC.

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3. It is stated that the Appellant has been in custody since 15th April 2016, in which case he has served almost 75% of the sentence awarded to him.

4. There were three accused before the trial Court. The other two have been acquitted by the trial Court. The Appellant is not shown to be involved in any other case. It is unlikely that the appeal, which is registered in 2018, will be heard at an early date. Although the Appellant's first bail application was rejected on 6th February 2019, which is more than two years since then the prospect of the appeal being heard at an early date has not improved.

5. Keeping in view all of the above circumstances, it is directed that during pendency of the criminal appeal, the Appellant be released on bail subject to the satisfaction of the trial Court.

6. The interlocutory application is accordingly disposed of.

7. As the restrictions due to resurgence of COVID-19 situation are continuing, learned counsel for the parties may utilize a printout of the order available in the High Court's website, at par with certified copy, subject to attestation by the concerned advocate, in the manner prescribed vide Court's Notice No.4587, dated 25th March, 2020 as modified by Court's Notice No.4798, dated 15th April, 2021.

(Dr. S. Muralidhar) Chief Justice

M. Panda