IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.8863 of 2024 Suresh Chandra Khuntia …. Petitioner Mr. S.R. Rout, Advocate -versus- 1.State of Odisha 2.Bichitra Kumar Jena …. Opposite Parties Mr. C.R. Swain, AGA Mr. S.R. Mulia, Advocate CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 08.01.2026 07. 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.748 of 2024 pending in the Court of learned J.M.F.C-IV (Cog. Taking), Cuttack, arising out of Madhupatna P.S. Case No.202 of 2024 for commission of offence punishable under Sections 420/506 IPC. 3. It is submitted by the learned counsel that there was a business transaction inter se between the parties and during the same, the amount has been paid and the allegation that he assured that the amount to be doubled is incorrect. 4. It is further submitted that taking into account the nature of allegation, the Petitioner may be protected by pre-arrest bail since charge sheet has been filed on 12.12.2025. 5. Learned counsel for the State opposes such prayer and submits that from the very inception there was mens rea of the Petitioner to commit the offence. Hence, no leniency ought to be shown to the Petitioner. 6. Taking into account the nature of allegations, 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. 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 PKS