p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.5454 of 2026 Soumya Ranjan Moharana …. Petitioner Mr. Partha Sarathi Das, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha & another …. Opposite Parties Mr. Jateswar Nayak, AGA CORAM: JUSTICE SIBO SANKAR MISHRA Order No. ORDER 20.05.2026 02. 1. Heard. 2. The petitioner is seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Mahila P.S. Case No.162 of 2026 corresponding to C.T. Case No.962 of 2026 registered for alleged commission of offences punishable under Sections 85/296/115(2)/109/351(3)/3(5) of the BNS, 2023 r/w Section 4 of the D.P. Act, pending in the Court of the learned S.D.J.M., Bhubaneswar. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner, on instruction from the petitioner, submits that except the present bail application, no other bail application of the petitioner is pending in any other Court relating to the aforesaid F.I.R. 4. The prosecution case is that the informant submitted a written report at the P.S. alleging that on p. 2 18.06.2025, her marriage was solemnised with the petitioner as per Hindu rites and customs. At the time of marriage, her parents had given all the household articles, gold and silver ornaments including cheque of Rs.2,00,000/- in the name of the petitioner. After some days of marriage, the petitioner along with his family members started torturing and assaulting the informant both physically and mentally demanding more dowry. Hence, this case. 5. Regard being had to the nature of allegations against the petitioner, I am inclined to grant the petitioner anticipatory bail. Accordingly, it is directed that in the event the petitioner is arrested, he shall be released by the Arresting Officer subject to the verification of similar criminal antecedents, he shall cooperate with the investigation and shall appear before the I.O. as and when his presence is required for the purpose of investigation; he shall not indulge in similar criminal offences while on bail; he shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date of posting of the case, if not presented by sufficient cause. Violation of any of the conditions shall entail cancellation of bail. p. 3 6. The ABLAPL is accordingly disposed of. (S.S. Mishra) Judge Subhasis Designation: Personal Assistant Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack.