Pabitra Swain v. State of Odisha
Case brief
What is this about?
Orissa High Court, Cuttack; WPCRL No.27 of 2026; decided 18.05.2026; coram Harish Tandon, Chief Justice and Murahari Sri Raman, J. Habeas corpus by father (Pabitra Swain) of minor kidnap victim against State of Odisha and Others; minor rescued from custody of opposite party Nos. 4 and 5; opposite party No. 4 apprehended; case registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and POCSO Act, 2012; victim's statement under Sections 180 and 183 BNSS, 2023; minor in aunt's custody per CWC Kendrapara order; habeas corpus petition dropped; writ petition disposed; petitioner free to approach concerned authority. Keywords: habeas corpus, minor victim, kidnapping, rescue, police inaction, POCSO, BNSS 180/183, CWC Kendrapara.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition in the nature of habeas corpus dropped as the minor had already been rescued from unlawful custody; petitioner at liberty to approach the concerned authority if any further order is solicited.