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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha HC grants bail to DRDO espionage case accused after nearly four years in jail
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has granted bail to Basanta Kumar Behera, a key accused in the high-profile espionage case involving the alleged leak of classified defence information from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) of DRDO at Chandipur in Balasore district. Justice Gourishankar Satapathy delivered the judgment noting the prolonged pre-trial detention and absence of any misuse of earlier interim bail granted to him. However, Behera who is lodged in Balasore jail has not been released as on date, as the bail conditions have not been complied so far. Behera was ordered to furnish a bail bond of Rs 5 lakh with two solvent sureties and compliance with several conditions, including fortnightly attendance at the local police station for six months and a ban on leaving the trial court's jurisdiction without permission. He must also keep the court and investigating agency informed about his residence and contact details. Advocate Ashutosh Mishra argued on behalf of Behera. The espionage case is pending before the 3rd Additional Sessions Judge in Balasore. Behera, a contractual AC operator at ITR, was arrested in September 2021 along with several others on charges of spying for a Pakistani handler after allegedly being honey-trapped. The case, initially investigated by Odisha police and later transferred to the State CID-Crime Branch, involves allegations of compromising national security by passing sensitive missile testing information to foreign nationals. In his judgment, Justice Satapathy emphasised that bail should not be denied merely due to the gravity of the allegations, particularly when the accused has already spent a significant time in custody and the trial has not progressed. 'If the state is unable to provide a speedy trial, it should not oppose bail on the ground of seriousness of the offence,' he observed, citing Article 21 of the Constitution. The judge highlighted that Behera had earlier availed interim bail on two occasions and had not misused the concession. Given the delay in trial proceedings and the bail granted to co-accused Sachin Kumar Chhata and Tapas Ranjan Nayak, the court ruled that Behera had made out a strong case for bail.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
HC grants bail to ITR espionage accused
Cuttack: In a development related to Chandipur espionage case, the Orissa high court granted bail to Basanta Kumar Behera, a contractual air conditioning operator at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, who had been in custody since Sept 2021 for allegedly spying for a Pakistani agent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Behera was one of four DRDO contractual employees arrested in the sensational case that was initially investigated by the state police and later transferred to the State CID-Crime Branch. The case involved allegations of leaking sensitive missile testing information to a foreign handler. Justice Gourishankar Satapathy, while granting bail on July 1, underscored the importance of the constitutional right to a speedy trial under Article 21. The court observed, "If the state is unable to provide a speedy trial, it should not oppose the plea of bail merely on the ground that the crime committed is serious." The court noted that Behera had earlier availed interim bail on two occasions without violating any of the imposed conditions. Considering his prolonged incarceration, his compliant conduct during interim release, and the bail already granted to co-accused Sachin Kumar Chhata and Tapas Ranjan Nayak, the court found sufficient grounds to approve Behera's bail application. Advocate Ashutosh Mishra, appearing on Behera's behalf, confirmed that all necessary procedures are being expedited for his client's release. "As of now, Basanta Kumar Behera is in Balasore Jail. We are in the process of fulfilling the bail conditions, and he is expected to be released within a day or two," Mishra told TOI on Monday. Behera was granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh with two solvent sureties. He has been directed to report to the local police station once every fortnight for the next six months, preferably on Sundays. Additionally, he must not leave the jurisdiction of the trial court without prior permission and is required to submit his current residential address, mobile number, and other relevant details to both the court and investigating agency. The trial, currently pending before the 3rd additional sessions judge in Balasore, has made little progress in the past nearly four years.
