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20 years of legal battle for theft of tobacco worth Rs 52: Odisha court finally acquits three
In a peculiar case reflecting the prolonged pendency of minor criminal matters in courts, the Kuchinda SDJM Court in Sambalpur has acquitted three persons nearly 20 years after they were booked in connection with the theft of gutkha and cigarettes worth just Rs 52.
The case dates back to 2006, when gutkha packets and cigarettes valued at Rs 52 were allegedly stolen from a paan shop owned by late Prafulla Sahu at Station Basti in Bamra area of Sambalpur district.
Following a complaint lodged at Govindpur police station, police had arrested four persons from Nuniamunda village on charges of theft and another person from Kechupani village for allegedly purchasing the stolen goods. All the accused were later released on bail and had been attending court proceedings regularly.
However, over the years, the case gradually slowed down and court notices also became infrequent. During the prolonged legal process, two of the accused as well as complainant Prafulla Sahu passed away.
A few days ago, the remaining accused suddenly received warrants issued by the court in connection with the pending case. Acting as per procedure, police arrested Ganesh Jaipuria and Amesh Bankara of Nuniamunda village on theft charges and Hemant Sahu of Kechupani village on charges of purchasing stolen property, before producing them before the Kuchinda court.
After hearing the matter, the court eventually acquitted the three accused, bringing an end to the nearly two-decade-old case involving goods worth only Rs 52.
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“They had been fighting the legal battle from 2006 to 2026. The SDJM Court in Kuchinda acquitted the trio. The case was delayed as eyewitnesses failed to appear before the court on several occasions,” said advocate Minaketan Mishra.
“We were produced before the court and lodged in jail for 29 days. Later, we were released on bail. After 20 years, the court finally pronounced the verdict,” said Hemant Kumar Sahoo, one of the acquitted persons.
