Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has directed the State Sentence Review Board (SSRB) to reconsider the early release of Nandu Pangi, a life convict lodged in Koraput Jail for more than 20 years.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M.S. Raman issued the order while hearing Pangi’s petition. The court instructed the SSRB to convene a meeting within two months and conduct a fresh review of the convict’s case.
The High Court observed that the SSRB had not adequately examined the matter earlier. It said the rejection of Pangi’s release plea in June 2023 was made without proper consideration of relevant factors.
In 2005, the Malkangiri Ad-hoc Additional District Judge (Fast Track Court) convicted Pangi in a murder case and sentenced him to life imprisonment on December 15, 2005. The conviction was later upheld by the High Court in April 2015.
In 2021, Pangi was released temporarily and stayed at his home for a few days before returning to jail. During this period, he reportedly engaged in agricultural work and maintained peaceful conduct.
A report by the IIC of Mudulipada Police Station and information from the Malkangiri SP indicated that at the age of 62, the convict posed little risk of reoffending.
Despite these observations, the SSRB rejected his release proposal in 2023.
Arguing before the High Court, advocate Satyanarayan Mishra, on behalf of the applicant, said the SSRB’s decision was unjustified. Additional Government Advocate Debasis Tripathy represented the state.
The High Court’s directive has now raised hopes for Pangi’s release, subject to the SSRB’s fresh review.
