O R D E R

1. This petition arises from a very disturbing order passed by a Division Bench of the High Court of Orissa dated 11-1-2016 in JCRLA No.46 of 2015 by which the High Court declined to condone the delay of 3157 days in preferring Criminal Appeal against the Judgment and Order of conviction passed by the Trial Court and thereby dismissed the Criminal Appeal on the ground of being time-barred.

Signature Not Verified Digita2lly s.igned by We take notice of the fact that the petitioner was put to VISHAL ANAND Date: 2026.05.07 Reasotn:rial in the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Nabarangpur in CT No.20 of 2004 for the offence punishable under Sections 302 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short “IPC”) respectively.

3. At the end of the trial, the petitioner was held guilty of the alleged crime and was sentenced to undergo life imprisonment.

4. The Judgment and Order of conviction and sentence passed by the Trial court is dated 25th August 2006.

5. The petitioner went before the High Court with a Criminal Appeal, however, there was a delay of nine years.

6. The Hig