Last Updated:February 25, 2026, 14:33 IST

The petition argued that the father's absence during her daughter's board exams posed difficulties for the girl's safety as well as her education

With board exams for Classes 10 and 12 currently underway, several incidents from examination centres across the country have drawn attention. Videos from centres in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have gone viral, showing students being stopped at the gates for arriving late, often in emotional scenes.

Amid these reports, a deeply moving case has emerged from Odisha, where a father serving a life sentence in a murder case has been granted temporary freedom so he can help his daughter appear for her Class 10 board exams. In its order, the Odisha High Court observed that education is a fundamental right of every child and noted that in certain circumstances a parent’s presence becomes essential.

According to reports, the girl’s examination centre is located nearly 5 kms from her home. With only elderly grandparents at home who were unable to escort her to the centre daily, the father approached the court seeking temporary release. Taking note of the circumstances, the HC observed that while the law must remain strict, humanitarian considerations cannot be ignored. On this basis, the court granted interim bail for a limited period.

The father, Srinivas Patra, who was convicted in a 2010 murder case, has been in jail since January 2021. The petition argued that the father’s absence during her daughter’s board exams posed difficulties for the girl’s safety as well as her education. After hearing both sides, the court considered the family’s situation to be a significant factor.

A division bench of the Odisha High Court granted interim bail to the father, clarifying that the relief was temporary and limited only to the examination period. It ordered that the bail will remain in force until March 10, after which the convict must surrender before the lower court. He will also be required to comply with all bail conditions and submit a compliance report.

The court directed the Jagatsinghpur District and Sessions Court to implement the order immediately and clarified that the decision will not affect the original conviction or sentence.

Why is the decision significant?

The order highlights the judiciary’s effort to balance strict enforcement of the law with humanitarian considerations. The court emphasised the importance of a child’s education and safety while ensuring that the legal process remains unaffected.

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