ABLAPL/8872/2026 of PRITAM JANI Vs STATE OF ODISHA on 21 August 2026

ORDER

21.08.2026

03. 1. Corrected consolidated cause title incorporating age of Petitioner No.1 and description of Petitioner No.3 filed by the learned counsel for the Petitioners is taken on record.

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

3. The Petitioners are seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with G.R. Case No.69 of 2026 pending on the file of learned Special Judge-cum-Sessions Judge, Gajapati, Paralakhemundi, arising out of Rayagada P.S. Case No.72 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Section 3(1)(r)/ 3(1)(s)/ 3(2)(va) of

SC & ST (PA) Act and Section 296/ 305(a)/ 351(2)/ 3(5) of BNS.

4. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail.

5. Taking into account that the Petitioner No.1 is stated to be a juvenile in conflict with law, it is directed that in the event of production before the Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, consequential steps in accordance with Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 shall be taken with the rider that the Petitioner No.1 shall establish his age in accordance with the provisions as contained in Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

6. So far as Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 are concerned, in the light of the order passed by this Court in the case of Pramod Kumar Ray and others Vrs. State of Odisha, (2017) 67 OCR 309, this ABLAPL is disposed of with the following directions.

The Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 shall surrender before the learned Court in seisin in the aforesaid case within three weeks from today. Seven days before the surrender of the Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 before the said Court, the Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 or their counsel shall serve a copy of the bail application or such number of copies of the bail application on the learned Public Prosecutor/Special Public Prosecutor, as required by him, for the purpose of notice to the Victim and/or Informant.

7. Taking into consideration the nature of the offence as alleged against the Petitioner Nos.2 and 3, it is directed that the Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 shall be released on interim bail by the learned Court in seisin, on the same day they surrender in the aforesaid case, pending disposal of the bail application on merit, on such terms and conditions as deemed just and proper including the following conditions:-

I) The Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 shall appear before the I.O. once in a week on the date and time fixed by the said I.O. until further order by the learned Court in seisin;

II) The Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 shall not threaten, induce or coerce any witnesses of this case or the Victim; and

III) The Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 shall not involve himself in similar or any other offence during currency of this order.

8. Within two weeks of appearance of the Victim and/or Informant, the matter shall be considered and disposed of on its own merits.

9. The ABLAPL accordingly stands disposed of.

(V. NARASINGH)

Judge

Santoshi

Digitally Signed Signed by: SANTOSHI LENKA Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack Date: 21-Aug-2026 19:22:41 Signature Not Verified