Supreme Court Slams Orissa High Court for Rejecting 22-Year Convict’s Appeal; Grants Bail

The Supreme Court granted bail to a murder convict who has spent 22 years in prison, describing the Orissa High Court's decision to dismiss his appeal solely on the ground of delay as "very disturbing." 

Observing that the High Court failed to take a sympathetic view, especially since the appeal was filed from jail.

The petitioner had been in custody since 2004 without a single day of parole or furlough. Invoking Article 142, the Court bypassed a remand, noting that after 22 years, a hearing would be a "futile exercise." 

The Court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to assist the petitioner in seeking remission.

[Arjun Jani @ Tuntun v. State of Orissa]