CUTTACK, India, March 23 -- Orissa High Court issued the following order on Feb. 20:

1. This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement.

2. In filing this I.A., the Appellant being in custody pursuant to the impugned judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 26th July, 2024 passed by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court under POCSO Act, Jeypore in T.R. Case No.62 of 2020, has prayed for releasing him on bail.

3. Heard Mr. PVS Nanaji Achary, learned counsel for the Appellant appearing through Virtual Court, Jeypore and Ms. S. Moharana, learned Addl. Standing Counsel for the State.

4. Learned counsel for the Appellant submits that the Appellant has been convicted and sentenced to undergo R.I. for a period of three years and to pay a fine of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand) for the offence under section 354 of the I.P.C. and in default, to undergo for a period of three months. He is further sentenced to undergo R.I. for a period of one year and to pay a fine of Rs.3,000/- (rupees three thousand) for the offence under section 451 of I.P.C. and in default, to undergo R.I. for a further period of two months. He is also sentenced to undergo R.I. for a period of five years and to pay a fine of Rs.10,000/- (rupees ten thousand) for the offence under section 10 of the POCSO Act and in default, to undergo R.I. for a further of six months. He further contends that since the Appellant was on bail during the course of trial and he has not misutized the liberty granted by the Court, the bail application of the Appellant may be favourably considered.

5. Learned counsel for the State, on the other hand, opposed the prayer for bail.

6. Considering the submissions made on behalf of the learned counsel for the respective parties and the averments taken in the I.A., this Court is of the view that the Appellant should be enlarged on interim bail for a period of two months. This Court, accordingly, directs that the Appellant shall be released on interim bail for a period of two months from the date of his actual release from the custody in connection with the above noted case by the learned Court in seisin over the matter on such terms and conditions as deemed just and proper with further conditions that he will positively surrender before the learned Court in seisin over the matter on the date as would be so directed. The Appellant is also directed not to threaten the victim or her family members in any manner.

7. This I.A. is, accordingly, disposed of.

CRLA No.155 of 2025

8. List this matter on 13th May, 2026 for final hearing.

9. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per Rules.

10. Both the parties are directed to file their respective written notes of submissions on or before the next date of listing of this matter.

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