1 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION (CRIMINAL) NO. 437/2022
BIKASH ORAON & ORS. Petitioner(s)
VERSUS
STATE OF WEST BENGAL RESPONDENT(S)
O R D E R
We have heard learned counsel for the parties. It is undisputed that the petitioners are in
custody as under trial prisoners for almost 15 years. Learned counsel for the petitioners states that there are 29 witnesses out of which only 10 have been examined and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take long time. Learned counsel appearing for the State though opposes the prayer, she submits that one of the other co-accused approached the High Court wherein some direction has been issued to conclude the trial expeditiously. Be that as it may, since there appears to be no justification to keep the petitioners as under trial prisoners for almost 15 years, in such circumstances, we are of the opinion that the petitioners are 2 entitled to be released on bail.
Accordingly, the petitioners are directed to be released on bail subject to such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the trial Court.
The writ petition, accordingly, stands disposed of. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of. …………………..J. ( KRISHNA MURARI )…………………..J. ( V. RAMASUBRAMANIAN )
NEW DELHI
19 th JANUARY, 2023
3 ITEM NO.10 COURT NO.13 SECTION X S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Writ Petition(s)(Criminal) No(s). 437/2022
BIKASH ORAON & ORS. Petitioner(s)
VERSUS
STATE OF WEST BENGAL Respondent(s)
Date : 19-01-2023 This petition was called on for hearing today.
CORAM :
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNA MURARI
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE V. RAMASUBRAMANIAN
For Petitioner(s) Mr. Simanta Kumar, Adv.
Mr. Devendra Kumar Shukla, AOR
Mr. Waseem Akhtar Khan, Adv.
Mr. Prakash Kumar Singh, Adv.
Mr. J.c Lalnunsanga, Adv.
Mr. Bhupendra Pratap Singh, Adv or
Respondent(s) Ms. Astha Sharma, AOR
Mr. Ravinder Singh, Adv.
Mr. Srisatya Mohanty, Adv.
Ms. Raveesha Gupta, Adv.
Ms. Mantika Haryani, Adv.
Mr. Sanjeev Kaushik, Adv.
Mr. Shreyas Awasthi, Adv.
Mr. Himanshu Chakravarty, Adv.
Mr. Devvrat Singh, Adv.
Ms. Muskan Surana, Adv.
UPON hearing the counsel the court made the following
O R D E R
The writ petition stands disposed of in terms of the signed order. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.The concluding paragraph of the signed order reads as under :Accordingly, the petitioners are 4 directed to be released on bail subject to such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the trial Court.
(Geeta Ahuja) (Beena Jolly)
Assistant Registrar-cum-PS Court Master
(Signed Order is placed on the file)