D. ANITA MAJHI Vs. STATE OF ODISHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We have heard Mr. P.K. Jena, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioners as well as Mr. J. Katikia, learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for the StateOpposite Parties.

(2.) By means of this petition, the Petitioners have urged this court to quash the cases catalogued under Annexure-1, which are pending against the Petitioners either in the investigation stage or where the trial has been held up. A catalogue of those cases where the trial has commenced, but not concluded have been provided by the Petitioners including their status on the day of filing of the writ petition.

(3.) Mr. Jena, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioners in his submission has drawn our attention to similar other cases where the Petitioners have already been acquitted. He has further added that Petitioners are being hunted by the State for their social activities, non-violent and peaceful in nature. But the State has, without any foundation, considered their activities as hostile to the State and deliberately branded their activities as "extremist" which are absolutely unfounded and unsustainable. On similar allegations, several other cases were filed against the Petitioners and they have been acquitted in those cases after trial, as would be evident from the table below. CASES IN WHICH PETITIONERS WERE ACQUITTED <FRM>JUDGEMENT_101_LAWS(ORI)2_2023_1.html</FRM>