IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.2001 of 2026 Prashanta Chhatar @ Pranta Chhatar …. Petitioner Ms. M.Sahoo, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. M.K. Mohanty, ASC CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 15.04.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties. 2. Instant petition has been filed under Section 482 BNSS by the petitioner seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Bijepur P.S. Case No. 198 of 2024 pending in the file of learned JMFC, Sohela corresponding to G.R. Case No.585 of 2024 on the grounds stated. 3. Perused the F.I.R. as at Annexure-1. It is submitted that in the meantime, the chargesheet is filed under Section 395 IPC against the petitioner and others. Originally, Bijepur P.S. Case No. 198 dated 14th June, 2024 was registered under Section 394 IPC and Section(s) 25 & 27 of the Arms Act. It is submitted to the Court that the co-accused, namely, Deepak Suna is on bail pursuant to the Court’s order in ABLAPL No. 366 of 2025. A copy of the said order is produced which is also at flag-A in the Court’s record. It is informed to the Court that the chargesheet was filed in the month of March, 2025 later to the release of the co-accused above named. It is claimed that the petitioner does not have any criminal antecedent. From the F.I.R., the Court finds that unknown miscreants committed the alleged mischief described therein, though, a case under Section 395 IPC is made out with the filing of the chargesheet, since a similarly situated co-accused, namely, Deepak Suna is on bail by the order in ABLAPL at flag-A, this Court recording the claim that he has no past criminal record and a first-time offender and objection of the State, though not in favour of granting pre-arrest bail to him, however, is of the view that the petitioner should be directed to surrender before the learned court below for being released with conditions in view of the closure of the investigation, a year back. 4. Accordingly, it is ordered. 5. In the result, the ABLAPL is disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. In the event, the petitioner surrenders before the court of learned JMFC, Sohela within a month from today, it is directed that he shall be released on bail in connection with G.R. Case No.585 of 2024 corresponding to Bijepur P.S. Case No. 198 of 2024 on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.40,000/-(rupees forty thousand) with one solvent surety for the like amount with such other conditions imposed by the court concerned as deemed just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. Page 3 of 3 6. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge Kabita