AMRESHWAR PRATAP SAHI, J.

I.A. No. 4169 of 2018

Having heard the learned Advocate General as well as the learned counsel for the respondent-petitioner, we find sufficient cause having been shown to condone the delay in filing of the appeal.

2. The delay condonation application is allowed and the delay in filing of the appeal is condoned. The appeal shall be treated to be within time.

L.P.A. No. 758 of 2018

3. Heard learned Advocate General for the appellant-State and Sri Pramod Kumar Singh, learned counsel for the respondent-petitioner.

4. At the very outset, we may point out that against the same very impugned judgment, L.P.A. No. 459 of 2018 (State of Bihar and others vs. Manish Kumar) has been filed and is connected with this appeal where, upon a consideration of the materials on record, a Division Bench on 2nd August, 2018 stayed the operation of the impugned judgment and order of the learned Single Judge.

5. In the wake of the aforesaid interim order and in the background of the grounds raised, this Court was also pleased to issue notices upon which learned counsel has appeared and resisted this appeal.

6. Learned Advocate General, Sri Lalit Kishore, while advancing hi