BLAPL/5262/2026 of SAHIL HOTA Vs STATE OF ODISHA on 7 September 2026

1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual/Physical Mode).

2. Since these three bail applications arise out of one and same case record, the same are heard together and disposed of by this common order with the consent of the learned counsel for the parties.

3. These are the bail applications U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioners for grant of bail in connection with Jharbandh PS Case No.23 of 2026 corresponding to GR Case No.160 of 2026 pending in the file of learned SDJM, Padampur for commission of offences U/Ss.318(4)/336(3)/340(2)/111(2)(b)/61(2)(b)/3(5) of BNS r/w Sec.65/72 of IT Act, on the main allegation of creating, operating and managing mule accounts by allowing the same knowingly for its use to route proceeds of online financial fraud.

3. Heard, Mr. Amitav Tripathy, learned counsel for the petitioners in all the three BLAPLs and Mr. S.C. Pradhan, learned Additional Public Prosecutor in the matter and perused the record together with the written instruction as received.

4. After having considered the rival submissions upon perusal of record, there appears allegation against the petitioners for creating, operative and managing mule accounts which are knowingly used for routing proceeds of online financial fraud, but the charge-sheet does not indicate the amount of financial fraud, however, the FIR reveals about financial fraud of Rs.38,012/- and Rs.50,000/- in the account of Trilochan Sahu and Krupasindhu Sahu. The petitioners are in custody since 20.02.2026 and in the meantime charge-sheet has already been submitted and the petitioners have indicated their criminal antecedents by way of filing separate comprehensive affidavits and according to such affidavits, the petitioner Sahil Hota and Samir Sahu are having one criminal antecedent, whereas the petitioner Arta Harijan is having two criminal antecedents which has not been disputed by the learned Addl. PP. In the aforesaid premises and on consideration of the materials placed on record and taking into account the other circumstances on record in entirety including the inherent right of the accused-petitioners to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial, this Court without expressing any view on merit admits each of the petitioners to bail.

5. Hence, the bail applications of the petitioners stand allowed and the petitioners are allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) only with one solvent surety for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin of the case on such terms and conditions except cash surety as deem fit and proper by it.

6. Accordingly, the BLAPLs stands disposed of.

7. Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules. A soft copy of this order be immediately communicated to the concerned Court, who shall afterwards communicate the same to the concerned Jail through e-mail for reference.

(G. Satapathy)

Judge

Jayakrushna Digitally Signed Signed by: JAYAKRUSHNA DASH Designation: Jr. Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack Date: 07-Sep-2026 18:48:20 Signature Not Verified