p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 8043 of 2026 Sagar Malik …. Petitioner Mr. P.C. Dash, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Parties Mr. S. Panda, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 22.07.2026 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 G.R. Case No.1166 of 2026 pending on the file of learned S.D.J.M., Kendrapara arising out of Tantiapal Marine P.S. Case No.83 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 303(2) of BNS. 3. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the Petitioner that the FIR in question is against unknown but the Petitioner is apprehending arrest since he is implicated on account of the co-accused statement and the Petitioner does not have criminal antecedent of similar nature. Hence, Petitioner may be released on bail. p. 2 4. Learned counsel for the State opposes such prayer for bail during the currency of investigation. 5. Taking into account the nature of allegation and the punishment prescribed, 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 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. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of. 9. U.C.C. as per rules. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Santoshi