CRLMC/2814/2026 of MANOJ KUMAR NANDA Vs STATE OF ODISHA on 25 August 2026

ORDER

25.08.2026 Order No.

01.

1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Mode.

2. Heard Mr.H.K.Mund, learned counsel for the Petitioner as well as learned counsel for the State. Perused the CRLMC application as well as the grounds taken therein.

3. By filing the present application under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C, the accused-Petitioner in G.R Case No.1090 of 2022 pending in the court of learned SDJM, Patnagarh which corresponds to Patnagarh P.S Case No.256 of 2022, which was registered for commission of an offence punishable under Section 409 of IPC, has approached this Court with a prayer for quashing of the entire criminal proceeding.

4. Mr.Mund, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner, at the outset, contended that the Petitioner has prayed for quashing of the entire criminal proceeding on the ground that there exists no evidence at all against the present Petitioner to make the case under the alleged section. In the aforesaid context, learned counsel for the Petitioner further submitted that it is only on the basis of an audit report, the Petitioner has been implicated in the present criminal case. He further submitted that in the meantime the trial has commenced and out of 12 prosecution witnesses 3 witnesses have already been examined including the complainant. In such view of the matter, learned counsel for the Petitioner contended that the further continuance of the trial in this case would be highly prejudicial to the Petitioner and the same would be an abuse of process of law.

5. Learned counsel for the State, on the other hand, contended that since the trial has already commenced and some witnesses have been examined according to the Petitioner, it would be desirable that the learned trial court be directed to expedite the trial and conclude the same as expeditiously as possible. It was also submitted by learned counsel for the State that there are enough materials against the Petitioner and on the basis of which a charge sheet has been filed and after taking cognizance, the matter has been sent to trial. In such view of the matter, learned counsel for the State contended that the prayer made by the Petitioner in the present application, is devoid of merit and, accordingly, the application of the Petitioner be dismissed at the threshold.

6. Having regard to the submissions made by learned counsels appearing for both sides, on a careful examination of the background facts as well as on a careful analysis of the submissions, this Court found that in the meantime the trial has commenced and three prosecution witnesses have already been examined. In such view of the matter, this Court deems it proper to dispose of the present application by directing the learned trial court to expedite the trial and make every endeavour to conclude the same as expeditiously as possible, preferably, within a period of three months from the date of communication of a certified copy of today’s order. The parties are directed to cooperate with the learned trial court for an early conclusion of the trial.

7. With the aforesaid observations/ directions, the CRLMC stands disposed of.

( A.K. Mohapatra )

Judge

Anil

Digitally Signed Signed by: ANIL KUMAR SAHOO Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 28-Aug-2026 14:15:54 Signature Not Verified