p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 8128 of 2026 Manoj Kumar Sahoo …. Petitioner Mr. K. Gaya, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S. K. Lenka, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 23.07.2026 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 T.R. Case No.204 of 2026 pending on the file of learned 7th Addl. District and Sessions Judge, Bhubaneswar, arising out of Chandaka P.S. Case No.156/2026 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 143(2) /3(5) of BNS R/w. Section 75/79 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. 3. This is the second journey of the Petitioner to this Court. Vide order dated 20.05.2026 in ABLAPL No.5472 of 2026, the Petitioner was directed to be released on bail in the light of the judgment passed in the case of Arnesh Kumar vrs. State of Bihar & another, (2014) 8 SCC 273 and reiterated in the p. 2 case of Satender Kumar Antil vrs. Central Bureau of Investigation & another, (2022) 10 SCC 51. 4. It is the submission of the learned counsel for the Petitioners that one of the offences alleged is under Section 143(2) of BNS in which the minimum punishment prescribed is seven years and which may extend to ten years, the decisions referred to hereinabove of the Apex Court will have no application. Hence, this motion. 5. This Court perused the statement of the victim as well as the materials on record. 6. Considering the same and keeping in view the judgment of the Apex Court in the case of Satender Kumar Antil vrs. Central Bureau of Investigation & another, (2022) 10 SCC 51, that the same parameters will apply while considering the application for pre-arrest bail which meant for considering a bail post arrest, 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. 7. It is needless to state that the Petitioner shall cooperate with the ongoing investigation. 8. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Jina