The Supreme Court has granted bail to a life convict from Odisha who spent over 22 years in prison. This decision came after the Orissa High Court dismissed his appeal due to a significant delay in filing it. The convict, Arjun Jani alias Tuntun, filed a special leave petition against the High Court’s order that refused to condone a delay of 3,157 days in filing a criminal appeal related to a murder case.
The convict was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2006 for offenses under Sections 302 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code. Despite having served over 12 years in prison when the appeal was filed, the High Court rejected it as time-barred. The Supreme Court criticized the High Court’s approach, emphasizing the need for a practical and sympathetic view considering the circumstances.
The Supreme Court acknowledged the convict’s long incarceration and satisfactory conduct in jail. In a rare move, under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Court ordered the release of the petitioner on bail. The convict is required to furnish a personal bond of Rs 10,000 and seek assistance from the District Legal Services Authority for sentence remission.
The Court’s decision was influenced by the convict’s 22-year sentence, lack of prior release on parole or furlough, and positive conduct in prison. The matter is scheduled for compliance reporting on May 28.
