ABLAPL/9805/2026 of SUJAT CHANDRA SAHOO @ SUJAT SAHOO @ HULIA Vs STATE OF ODISHA on 3 September 2026

ORDER

03.09.2026

02.

1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioners and learned counsel for the State.

2. The Petitioners are seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with G.R. Case No.346 of 2026 pending on the file of learned JMFC, Bhuban, arising out of Bhuban P.S. Case No.359 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 126(2)/ 115(2)/ 118(1)/ 109(1)/ 74/ 303(2)/ 296/ 3(5) of BNS.

3. It is submitted by the learned counsel that taking into account the omnibus nature of allegations and the injury being admittedly simple in nature, the Petitioners may be protected by pre-arrest bail.

4. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail and submits that Petitioner Nos.1 and 2 have six criminal antecedents and though the injury has been categorized as simple, the same is on the vital part. And, it is stated that the same should weigh with this Court and no leniency ought to be shown.

It is further submitted by the learned counsel for the State that Petitioner No.3 also actively participated.

5. Considering the rival submissions, this Court is not inclined to entertain the application for pre-arrest bail in respect of Petitioner No.1. However, in the event the Petitioner No.1 (Sujat Chandra Sahoo @ Sujat Sahoo @ Hulia) surrenders before the learned Court in seisin in the aforesaid case and moves an application for his release on bail, the same shall be considered on its own merit.

6. So far as the ABLAPL in respect of Petitioner No.2 is concerned, taking into account the nature of allegation, this Court is not inclined to entertain the application for pre-arrest bail in respect of the said Petitioner. However, it is directed that the Petitioner No.2 (Kartikeswar Mallik @ Papu) may surrender before the learned JMFC, Bhuban in connection with the aforementioned case within one month from today.

In the event of his surrender and motion for bail, the same be considered by the learned JMFC, Bhuban on merits, in the first hour of the day.

In the event of rejection of the prayer for bail by the learned JMFC, Bhuban, the Petitioner No.2 is at liberty to move the higher forum for bail in the second hour on the same day.

7. On being so moved, the higher forum is requested to make an endeavor to dispose of the bail application of the Petitioner No.2 on the same day.

The case diary shall be made available to the concerned courts to facilitate disposal of the bail application of the Petitioner No.2 and learned JMFC, Bhuban is called upon to transmit the case record to the higher forum in the second hour expeditiously in the event of rejection of the bail application by him.

Ground of parity, if any, may be considered by the learned court(s) below.

8. As regards Petitioner No.3, taking into account the role ascribed to him and his age, this Court directs that on surrendering within three weeks hence and moving for bail, the Petitioner No.3(Pradeep Mallik @ Pinku) shall be released on bail by the learned Court in seisin on such terms as deemed just and proper subject to verification of criminal antecedent of similar nature.

9. If it comes to the fore that the Petitioner No.3 has any such criminal antecedent, this order shall not be given effect to.

10. It is needless to state that the Petitioners shall cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

11. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of.

(V. NARASINGH)

Judge

Jina Digitally Signed Signed by: JINA DIGAL Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 03-Sep-2026 20:09:40 Signature Not Verified