Orissa High Court Grants Bail to Man Accused of Leaking Missile Data to Foreigners Due to Trial Delay

The Orissa High Court has granted bail to Basanta Kumar Behera, accused of leaking missile test data to foreign nationals, after nearly four years of pre-trial detention.

The Court emphasised that the right to a speedy trial under Article 21 applies regardless of the offence’s gravity.

The court noted that out of 28 prosecution witnesses, only 19 had been examined, no forensic report of the seized phone was produced, and no direct evidence linked Behera to the alleged leak.

Bail was granted with strict conditions and a ₹5 lakh bond. (Basanta Kumar Behera V. State of Odisha)