Justice S K Panigrahi granted bail to Manas Ati, a resident of Jharsuguda district, who was arrested by Kolabira Police on December 25 last year for allegedly stealing six electric poles worth over ₹2 lakh, belonging to a power supply company.
While the court did not delve into the merits of the case, it noted that a co-accused had already been granted bail. The high court directed the lower court to release Ati under specific conditions. In addition to the tree plantation requirement, the accused must appear before the police every fortnight, refrain from any criminal activity, and avoid tampering with evidence.
"The petitioner (Manas Ati) shall plant 200 saplings of local varieties like mango, neem, tamarind, etc., around his village on government, community, or private land," the court stated. It also directed local police, forest, and revenue officials to assist Ati in the plantation drive. Furthermore, the district nursery has been instructed to provide the required saplings, while revenue officials will help identify suitable land.
The court made it clear that any violation of these conditions would lead to the cancellation of Ati’s bail.
This decision aligns with the judiciary’s growing trend of imposing community service-oriented conditions on bail, promoting environmental responsibility alongside legal obligations.
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