Ratnaprava Sahu v. State Of Odisha(Vig.)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

ABLAPL No.1421 of 2022 Ratnaprava Sahu ....

Petitioner Mr. S.K. Jena, Advocate -versusState of Odisha (Vigilance) ....

Opp. Party Mr. M.S. Rizvi Addl. Standing Counsel

CORAM:

JUSTICE S.K. SAHOO Order No.

ORDER

28.02.2022 02.

This matter is taken up through Hybrid arrangement (video conferencing/physical mode). Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Additional Standing Counsel for the Vigilance Department. This is an application under section 438 of Cr.P.C. for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in connection with V.G.R. Case No.01 of 2022 arising out of Cuttack Vigilance P.S. Case No.08 of 2022 pending in the Court of learned Special Judge, Angul for alleged commission of offences under section 13(2) read with sections 13(1)(b)/12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 as amended by Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.

Perused the F.I.R.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that

// 2 // the petitioner is the wife of the public servant, who was working as Junior Engineer at Talcher Block in the district of Angul and the petitioner has been arrayed as an accused on the ground that she has abetted the crime committed by the main accused and the ingredients of the offences are not attracted and the petitioner is ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation and keeping in view the proviso to section 437(1) Cr.P.C., the anticipatory bail application of the petitioner may be favourably considered.

Learned Additional Standing Counsel for the Vigilance Department, on the other hand, on instruction submitted that no custodial interrogation is necessary but the petitioner must cooperate with the investigation. Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel for the respective parties, the nature of accusation against the petitioner and keeping in view the proviso to section 437(1) Cr.P.C., I am inclined to release the petitioner on anticipatory bail and accordingly, this Court directs that in the event of arrest of the petitioner in connection with the aforesaid case, she shall be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.

10,000/- (rupees ten thousand) with two sureties each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the arresting officer with further conditions that she shall appear before the Investigating Officer on receipt of the written notice and she shall cooperate with the investigation and shall further appear before the Investigating Officer as and when required and she shall not try to tamper with the evidence in any manner.

// 3 // written notice or does not cooperate with the investigation, the prosecuting agency is at liberty to seek appropriate remedy for cancellation of the anticipatory bail order of the petitioner.

The ABLAPL is accordingly disposed of.

A free copy of this order be handed over to the learned Additional Standing Counsel for the Vigilance Department.

Urgent certified copy of this order be granted on proper application.

( S.K. Sahoo) Judge RKM