ORISSA HIGH COURT ISSUES ORDER ON ARATI SETHI V/S STATE OF ODISHA

CUTTACK, India, Feb. 26 -- Orissa High Court issued the following order on Jan. 27:

1. This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement.

2. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and learned counsel for the State.

3. The petitioner has filed this CRLMC assailing the order dated 02.07.2025 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Pattamundai in S.T. Case No.918 of 2025(S.T-304 of 2019), arising out of G.R Case No.290 of 2025, corresponding to Rajkanika P.S. Case No.164 of 2025, issuing N.B.W(A) against her.

4. Learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that the petitioner was earlier on bail vide order dated 20.05.2025 passed by the court below. She was regularly attending the court on each date of posting of the case. However, on 02.07.2025, the petitioner could not remain present in court as her conducting counsel did not take any step for her attendance due to communication gap. Hence, the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Pattamundai, issued N.B.W (A) against her. He further submits that the Petitioner undertakes that she will cooperate till the end of the trial and appear before the court on each date of posting without fail, failing which, fresh N.B.W (A) shall be issued against her.

5. In view of such facts and submissions made by the learned counsel for the Petitioner, this Court is inclined to allow the CRLMC. Accordingly, the order dated 02.07.2025 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Pattamundai in the aforesaid case, so far it relates to issuance of N.B.W(A) against the petitioner, is hereby quashed.

6. The Petitioner is directed to surrender before the court in seisin over the matter in the aforesaid case and move for bail within a period of fifteen days hence. On such event, the said court shall release her on bail with some stringent conditions so as to enable her to appear before the court on each date of posting of the case. In addition, the Petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.500/- (rupees Five Hundred Only) as cost for violating the court's order. The said amount shall be deposited with the Pattamundai Bar Association Welfare Fund for the purpose of utilizing the said amount for purchasing books for the Bar library. The copy of the receipt of the said deposit shall be presented before the court in seisin over the matter.

7. Accordingly, the CRLMC is disposed of.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.