Orissa High Court
ABLAPL/8017/2026 of SHARAT KUMAR SETHI Vs STATE OF ODISHA on 17 August 2026
of 2 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.8017 of 2026 CNR No.ODHC010488422026 Sharat Kumar Sethi … Petitioner Mr. P. K. Das, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. A . K. Pati, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 17.08.2026 02. 1. Heard
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK
ABLAPL No.8017 of 2026
CNR No.ODHC010488422026
Sharat Kumar Sethi
…
Petitioner
Mr. P. K. Das, Advocate
-versus-
State of Odisha
….
Opposite Party
Mr. A. K. Pati, ASC
CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH
Order No.
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ORDER
17.08.2026
02.
1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and learned counsel for the State.
2. The Petitioner is seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with G.R. Case No.37 of 2024 pending on the file of learned S.D.J.M, Bhadrak arising out of Puruna Bazar P.S. Case No.18 of 2024 for commission of offences punishable under Section 420 of IPC.
3. The substance of the allegation against the present Petitioner is that he had withdrawn sanctioning money of Rs.3,56,058/- on the basis of the forged documents and false bills relating to construction work of Bazar.
4. It is submitted by the learned counsel that since admittedly charge sheet has been submitted and investigation has not been kept open custodial interrogation of the Petitioner, who does not have any criminal proclivity is warranted.
5. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail, inter alia, on the ground of allegation of alleged defalcation of public money.
6. Considering the rival submissions since the allegations are prima facie based on documentary evidence, this Court is not persuaded to hold that custodial interrogation of the Petitioner is warranted. Hence, this Court directs that on surrendering within three weeks hence and moving for bail, the Petitioner 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.
If it comes to the fore that the Petitioner has any such criminal antecedent, this order shall not be given effect to.
7. It is needless to state that the Petitioner shall cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
8. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of.
(V. NARASINGH)
Judge
Jina Digitally Signed Signed by: JINA DIGAL Designation: Junior Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 18-Aug-2026 20:16:41 Signature Not Verified