High Court Judge sees red over crime-political nexus

BERHAMPUR: Coming down heavily on criminalisation of politics, Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo of the Orissa High Court has observed that the trend is growing at a rapid pace.While dismissing the bail plea filed by a murder accused Simanchal Samal of Kodola area in Ganjam district, Justice Sahoo, in his order, stated that politics has become a paradise for criminals.

“Politics and criminals have become two sides of the same coin. Criminals build their nests in politics by virtue of money and muscle power,” he observed.In his 10-page order, the HC Judge stated that political atmosphere now is infected by the bacteria called criminals. “To decontaminate it, complete sanitisation is required which includes identification of such unwanted elements and sealing their entry path,” he said.
  Citing the case of Samal, who is accused of murdering his political opponent, Justice Sahoo observed that there is no dearth of such politicians in the country who can go to any extent and commit crime leaving aside the political ideology. “Such politicians should be changed like diapers which result in a healthy state of affairs for all,” he observed.

Samal, a former Sarpanch, is charged with murdering Pitambar Swain of Mardakote village in Kodola on February 20 this year. Police registered a case and arrested him in May. The case is now pending before the JMFC Court at Khallikote.Samal had filed a petition before Additional Sessions Judge, Chhatrapur seeking bail which was turned down. Later, he moved the HC.

Hearing the petition, Justice Sahoo observed that materials available on record indicate there is prima facie accusation against Samal along with the co-accused and moreover, there appears to be a motive behind such a crime. “There is likelihood of the petitioner tampering with the evidence and investigation if released on bail. Taking into account the fact that investigation of the case is under progress, it would not be proper at this stage to release Samal  on bail,” his order stated and dismissed the plea.

The HC judge also expressed displeasure over supervision note of the case by ASP, Ganjam PK Mohapatra. He observed that as per the Supreme Court order, supervision notes cannot be used by the prosecution as a piece of material or evidence against the accused. In this case, confidentiality of the supervision report has not been maintained as the petitioner got access to it.