Suryakanta Mantri Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Suryakanta Mantri Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Appellant admitted to bail: impugned refusal order set aside and 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.

Issue for consideration

Whether the appellant should be admitted to bail in connection with Tirtol PS Case No.663 of 2025, in this appeal under Section 14-A(2) of the SC & ST (PoA) Act against the learned Sessions Judge, Jagatsinghpur's order of 20.01.2026 refusing bail.

Court's answer

After considering the rival submissions, the nature and gravity of the offence alleged against the appellant vis-a-vis the allegation sought to be brought against him, his pre-trial detention in custody since 31.12.2025 with the charge-sheet submitted in the meantime, the victim having voluntarily left at the Bus stand of Kujanga, the inherent right of the accused to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial, and there being no criminal antecedent reported against the appellant, this Court considers it proper to admit the appellant on bail.

Ratio / Principle

The criminal appeal stands allowed and the impugned order refusing bail is set aside; consequently, the appellant is 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.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

CRLA No.147 of 2026 (High Court of Orissa at Cuttack, Justice G. Satapathy, oral order dated 05.05.2026): Criminal appeal under Section 14-A(2) of the Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (with amendment Act, 2016), in the nature of bail, by Suryakanta Mantri against the order dated 20.01.2026 of the learned Sessions Judge, Jagatsinghpur (CT Case No.406 of 2025) refusing bail in Tirtol PS Case No.663 of 2025, wherein offences under Sections 140(1)/309(6)/296/351(2)/3(5) of BNS r/w Sec.25/27 of Arms Act and r/w Sec.3(1)(r)(s)/3(2)(va) of SC & ST (PoA) Act were charged on the main allegation of obtaining Rs.2,04,000/- from the informant by abducting and releasing him near the bus stand of Kujanga. Holding: taking into account the nature and gravity of the alleged offence, pre-trial detention since 31.12.2025 with charge-sheet submitted, the victim having voluntarily left at the Kujanga bus stand, the accused's right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial, and absence of any reported criminal antecedent, the Court admitted the appellant to bail, allowed the appeal, set aside the impugned order, and left the bail terms and conditions to the learned Court in seisin over the matter.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK CRLA No.147 of 2026

Suryakanta Mantri … Appellant Mr. B.P. Das, Advocate, along with Mr. G. Mohanty, Advocate

-versus-

State of Odisha & Anr.

… Respondents Mr. P. Satpathy, Addl. PP

CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY Order No. ORDER(ORAL)05.05.2026

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

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 20.01.2026 passed in CT Case No.406 of 2025 by which the learned Sessions Judge, Jagatsinghpur has refused to release the appellant on bail in connection with Tirtol PS Case No.663 of 2025 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 140(1)/309(6)/296/351(2)/3(5) of BNS r/w Sec.25/27 of Arms Act and r/w Sec.3(1)(r)(s)/3(2)(va) of SC & ST (PoA) Act, on the main allegation of obtaining Rs.2,04,000/- from the informant by abducting and releasing him near bus stand of Kujanga.

Heard, Mr. Bibhu Prasad Das, learned counsel appearing along with Mr. Gourav Mohanty, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr. P. Satpathy, learned

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Additional Public Prosecutor in the matter and perused the record.

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 31.12.2025 with submission of charge-sheet in the meantime and the victim being voluntarily left at the Bus stand of Kujanga and taking into account the other circumstances on record in entirety including the inherent right of the accused to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial and there being no criminal antecedent reported against the appellant, this Court considers it proper to admit the appellant on bail.

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.

Accordingly, the CRLA stands disposed of. Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules.

(G. Satapathy)

Signature Not Verified

Judge

Jayakrushna Digitally Signed Signed by: JAYAKRUSHNA DASH Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, C utta ck Date: 06-May-2026 15:59:32

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