Kuchinda, May 21: The Kuchinda SDJM Court in Sambalpur on Tuesday acquitted three men accused in a two-decade-old theft case involving gutkha packets and cigarettes worth just Rs 52.
The acquitted men—Ganesh Jaipuria, Amesh Bankara, and Hemant Sahu—are all from Bamra block. The case was originally filed in 2006 by Prafulla Sahu, owner of a betel shop in Station Basti under Govindpur police limits, who reported that gutkha packets and cigarettes worth Rs 52 had been stolen from his shop.
Police investigation led to the arrest of four individuals from Nuniamunda on theft charges, while Hemant Sahu was accused of buying the stolen items. All were later released on bail and appeared in court over the years.
The trial slowed considerably due to repeated non-appearance of witnesses, and during this prolonged period, two of the accused and Prafulla Sahu passed away.
The case resurfaced recently when the remaining three accused received fresh warrants. They were arrested and produced before the Kuchinda SDJM Court, which, after hearing the matter, acquitted them.
Advocate Minaketan Mishra said the delays were primarily caused by the repeated absence of eyewitnesses. Hemant Sahu remarked that they had spent 29 days in jail after their 2006 arrest and had been fighting the case for 20 years before finally being cleared.
