BLAPL/2713/2026 of GOURI @ GURUBANI @ RATNABATI DAS @ ADHIKARY Vs STATE OF ODISHA on 31 August 2026

1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual/Physical Mode).

2. This is a bail application U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioner for grant of bail in connection with Marine Balaramgadi PS Case No.24 of 2018 corresponding to CT Case No.2805 of 2018 pending in the file of learned SDJM, Balasore for commission of offences punishable U/Ss.302/201/34 of IPC, on the main allegation of committing murder of her husband.

3. Heard, Mr. Suryakanta Dwibedi, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. P. Satpathy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor in the matter and perused the record.

4. After having considered the rival submissions upon perusal of record, there appears allegation against the petitioner for committing murder of her husband, but it is borne out from record that the deceased went on missing on 21.07.2018 and his dead-body was recovered on 24.07.2018. Accordingly, one UD Case in

UD Case No.3 dated 24.07.2018 was registered, however, after near about five months of registration of UD Case, the FIR was registered on 22.12.2018 against unknown person. Further, it is found from the documents produced by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the brother of the petitioner has filed a petition U/S.100 of BNSS on 08.07.2024 which was registered as Misc. Case No.106 of 2024 arising out of CT Case No.2805 of 2018 wherein the learned SDJM, Balasore passed order inter alia stating the following: - “The case record is posted today for awaiting report and filing objection. A report is received from IIC Marine PS, Balaramgadi stating there in that after the examination of Ranabati Das, her family members of both sides (Paternal & in- laws) were called for and asked to take her home back, but they did not take her. Hence, she being a destitute, was kept in Nari Sangha, Balasore. Repeated efforts were made to convince her parents to take her back and she was sent back to her father’s house of Banamali Das, At-Purunapani, PS-Khunta, Dist- Mayurbhanj.

On the other hand, a memo is filed by the advocate on behalf of the petitioner where in he reflects that as per order of the Hon’ble Court, the IIC Marine PS, Balaramgadi has sent to the confinement person i.e. the sister of the petitioner Ranabati Das to her home and she is residing with peaceful life. So there is no need to proceed with the case further. Accordingly, the said memo is accepted and the case is closed.”

5. In the fitness of the things, the petitioner was forwarded to the Court in this case on 29.01.2026 on the basis of her confession before the Police and thereby, the petitioner is in custody since then. In the aforesaid premises and on consideration of the materials placed on record, especially when the petitioner was taken into custody after eight years of the occurrence and that too, on the basis of her confession before Police and keeping in view the status of the petitioner as a lady and applying the first proviso appended to Sec.480 of BNSS, this Court without expressing any view on merit admits the petitioner to bail.

6. Hence, the bail application of the petitioner stands allowed and the petitioner is allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Thousand) only with one solvent surety for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin of the case on such terms and conditions as deem fit and proper by it.

7. Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of.

8. Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules. A soft copy of this order be immediately communicated to the concerned Court, who shall afterwards communicate the same to the concerned Jail through e-mail for reference.

(G. Satapathy)

Judge

Jayakrushna Digitally Signed Signed by: JAYAKRUSHNA DASH Designation: Jr. Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack Date: 31-Aug-2026 19:21:01 Signature Not Verified