p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.1576 of 2025 China Rao @ M. Santosh Rao …. Petitioner Mr. S.K Nayak (2), Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S.K. Brahma, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 03.07.2025 01. 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.717 of 2017 pending in the Court of learned S.D.J.M., Bhadrak, arising out of Bhadrak Town P.S. Case No.96 of 2017 for commission of offence punishable under Sections 457, 380, 436, 34 of I.P.C. 3. It is submitted by the learned counsel that since the charge sheet has already been submitted and as the co-accused has been released on bail, the Petitioner may be protected by pre-arrest bail. p. 2 4. Learned counsel for the State opposes such prayer. 5. Taking into account the nature of accusation and release of co-accused, it is directed 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. 6. If it comes to fore that the Petitioner has more than two criminal antecedent of similar nature, this order shall not be given effect to. 7. Before releasing the learned Court shall verify as to whether this order has been assailed before the Apex Court and if so, the result thereof. 8. It is needless to state that the Petitioner shall cooperate with the ongoing investigation. 9. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Soumya