IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 2281 of 2026 Jyoti Prakash Mallik …. Petitioner Mr. D.S. Ray, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. A.K. Pati, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 21.04.2026 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 C.T. Case No.965 of 2025, pending on the file of learned S.D.J.M., Balasore arising out of Balasore Town P.S. case No.353 of 2025, for commission of offences punishable under Sections 329(2), 127(2), 296, 74, 76, 109(1), 117(2), 118(1), 351(2) and 3(5) of BNS, 2023. 3. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the Petitioner that because of counter case exaggerated allegations have been made. Hence, the Portioner may be protected by pre-arrest bail. 4. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail and on verification of record submits that the injury suffered is simple in nature. 5. Taking into account the nature of allegations and the background in which the same has been levelled, 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 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. The ABLAPL is accordingly disposed of. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Jina