Manoj Kumar Mahanta v. State of Odisha

Orissa HC24 Jul 2026CRLA/1341/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Manoj Kumar Mahanta v. State of Odisha & Anr., CRLA No.1341 of 2026, High Court of Orissa at Cuttack (Justice G. Satapathy, 24.07.2026). Bail appeal under Section 14-A(2) SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 against rejection of bail by Special Judge, Keonjhar in SC Case No.09 of 2025 (Turumunga PS Case No.59 of 2025; BNS and SC & ST POA Act offences). Bail granted; impugned order set aside. No precedents discussed; victim did not appear.

What did the court decide?

Appellant directed to be released on bail on such terms and conditions as deemed fit and proper by the learned court in seisin over the matter, with the condition that the appellant shall co-operate the trial; impugned order set aside. ¶¶14

Manoj Kumar Mahanta Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK CRLA No.1341 of 2026

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Manoj Kumar Mahanta … Appellant

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Mr. K. Gaya, Advocate

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-versus-

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State of Odisha & Anr. … Respondents Mr. P. Satpathy, Addl. PP None (victim)

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Order No.

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CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY ORDER(ORAL)24.07.2026

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02. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual/Physical Mode).

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This criminal appeal Under Section 14-A(2) of the Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 together with amendment Act, 2016 (in short, “the Act”) in nature of bail is directed against the impugned order dated 09.10.2025 passed in SC Case No.09 of 2025 by which the learned Special Judge, Keonjhar has refused to release the appellant on bail in connection with Turumunga PS Case No.59 of 2025 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 126(2)/296/115(2)/117(2)/109(1)/3(5) of BNS r/w Sec.3(1)(r)(s)/3(2)(v)(va) of SC & ST POA Act, on the main allegation of attempting to the life of the injured belonging to “ST” community by assaulting him with a lathi causing injury to the injured.

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Heard, Mr. Karunakar Gaya, learned counsel for the appellant; and Mr. P. Satpathy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor in the matter and perused the record.

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Page 1 of 2

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None appears for the victim despite being duly informed as apprised by the learned Addl. PP.

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After having considered the rival submissions and taking into consideration the nature and gravity of the offence as alleged against the appellant vis-a-vis the allegation sought to be brought against him and regard being had to the pre-trial detention of the appellant in custody since 21.03.2025 with submission of chargesheet in the meantime and taking into account the other circumstances on record in entirety including the injuries sustained by the injured which are opined to be simple in nature as per the report of the doctor of SCB, MCH Cuttack and keeping in view the inherent right of the accused to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial, this Court considers it proper to admit the appellant to bail.

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Hence, the criminal appeal stands allowed and the impugned order is hereby set aside. Consequently, the appellant is directed to be released on bail on such terms and conditions as deems fit and proper by the learned Court in seisin over the matter with following condition:-

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(i) the appellant shall co-operate the trial. 6. Accordingly, the CRLA stands disposed of. Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules.

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(G. Satapathy) Signature Not Verified

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Digitally Signed Signed by: JAYAKRUSHNA DASH Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, C Jayakrushna utta ck Date: 24-Jul-2026 19:44:53

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Judge

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Manoj Kumar Mahanta v. State of Odisha

Case brief

What is this about?

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Manoj Kumar Mahanta v. State of Odisha

Case brief

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