p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No.9767 of 2025 Santosh @ Bhagiratha Panigrahi … Petitioner Mr. B.K. Das, Advocate -versus- State of Orissa … Opposite Party Mr. M.R. Patra, Addl. PP CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY Order No. ORDER(ORAL) 28.01.2026 02. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual/Physical Mode). 2. This is a bail application U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioner for grant of bail in connection with Simulia PS Case No.403 of 2025 corresponding to SC Case No.255 of 2025 pending in the file of learned ADJ- cum-Spl. Court under POCSO Act, Balasore for commission of offences punishable U/Ss. 333/296/115(2)/78/79/109(1)/351(3) of the BNS r/w Sec.12 of POCSO Act, on the main allegation of sexually harassing the victim by passing lewd comments and attempting to the life of the father of the victim by assaulting him with an iron rod. 3. Heard, Mr. Basanta Kumar Das, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. M.R. Patra, learned Additional Public Prosecutor in the matter and perused the record. 4. After having considered the rival submissions and taking into consideration the nature and gravity of p. 2 the offences as alleged against the petitioner vis-à-vis the accusations sought to be brought against him and regard being had to the pre-trial detention of the petitioner in custody since 23.08.2025 with submission of charge-sheet in the meantime and taking into account the other circumstances on record in entirety including the statement of the victim and keeping in view the nature of injury sustained by the father of the victim and taking into account the inherent right of the accused to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial, this Court without expressing any view on merit admits the petitioner to bail, but subject to certain conditions. 5. Hence, the bail application of the petitioner stands allowed and the petitioner is allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) only with two solvent sureties each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin of the case on such terms and conditions as deem fit and proper by it with following conditions:- (i) the petitioner shall not contact the victim or visit her house or village till disposal of the case; (ii) the petitioner shall remain away from the village of the victim for three months and thereafter, he will appear before the concerned police station once in a fortnight for another three months; (iii) the petitioner shall not loiter or follow the victim in any manner at any place; (iv) the petitioner shall not threaten/ influence/induce/ coerce any of the witnesses including the informant and her family members acquainted with the facts of the case so as to p. 3 dissuade them disclosing such facts before the Court. This Court, however, reserves liberty to the State and the informant to file appropriate application for cancellation of bail of the petitioner in case of violation of the above condition or a case for cancellation of bail is otherwise made out. In such event of application for cancellation of bail, the learned Court in seisin over the matter is at liberty to pass appropriate order in accordance with law without further reference to this Court. 6. Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of. 7. Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules. (G. Satapathy) Judge Jayakrushna