IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.8263 of 2026 1. Seema Sethi @ Sima Sethi 2. Jaga Pradhan @ Jagannath Pradhan 3. Kumari Pradhan @ Kumari Sethy 4. Raja Sethy @ Raji Sethy …. Petitioners Mr. S.K. Lenka, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S. Panigrahi, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 24.07.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioners and learned counsel for the State. 2. The Petitioners are seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with C.T. Case No.1330 of 2026 pending on the file of learned S.D.J.M., Bhubaneswar, arising out of Capital P.S. Case No.412 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 126(2), 115(2), 117(2), 109, 296, 74, 351(2) and 3(5) of B.N.S, Act. 3. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the Petitioners that since exaggerated allegations have been made, they may be protected by pre-arrest bail. 4. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer, inter alia, on the ground that the role ascribed to the Petitioner No.1(Seema Sethi @ Sima Sethi) and he has been cited as accused in the following case: “1. Capital PS Case No. 414 of 2026 U/s 126(2)/115(2)/351(2)/3(5) BNS. 2.Capital PS Case No-103 of 2026 U/S 126(2)/115(2)/74/351(2)/3(5) BNS. 3. Capital PS Case No-370 of 2022 U/S 323/337/341/506/34 IPC. 4. Capital PS Case No-272 of 2022 U/S 294/427/447/34 IPC. 5. Capital PS Case No-26 of 2018 U/S- 341/207/427 of IPC. 6. Capital PS Case No-266 of 2017 U/S- 294/307/323/324/452/506/34 of IPC.” 5. Considering the rival submission, this Court is not inclined to entertain the application for pre-arrest bail in respect of the Petitioner No.1(Seema Sethi @ Sima Sethi). However, it is directed that the Petitioner No.1(Seema Sethi @ Sima Sethi) may surrender before the learned S.D.J.M., Bhubaneswar in connection with the aforementioned case within one month from today. Page 3 of 5 In the event of his surrender and motion for bail, the same be considered by the learned S.D.J.M., Bhubaneswar on merits, in the first hour of the day. In the event of rejection of the prayer for bail by the learned S.D.J.M., Bhubaneswar, the Petitioner No.1(Seema Sethi @ Sima Sethi) is at liberty to move the higher forum for bail in the second hour on the same day. 6. On being so moved, the higher forum is requested to make an endeavour to dispose of the bail application of the Petitioner No.1(Seema Sethi @ Sima Sethi) on the same day on merit in accordance with law. ` The case diary shall be made available to the concerned courts to facilitate disposal of the bail application of the Petitioner No.1(Seema Sethi @ Sima Sethi) and learned S.D.J.M., Bhubaneswar is called upon to transmit the case record to the higher forum at the earliest in the event of rejection of such bail application. Ground of parity, if any, may be considered by the learned Court below. 7. So far as the Petitioner Nos.2 to 4 are concerned (Jaga Pradhan @ Jagannath Pradhan, Kumari Pradhan @ Kumari Sethy and Raja Sethy @ Raji Sethy), considering the nature of allegations, this Court directs that on surrendering within three weeks hence and moving for bail, the Petitioner Nos.2 to 4 are concerned (Jaga Pradhan @ Jagannath Pradhan, Kumari Pradhan @ Kumari Sethy and Raja Sethy @ Raji Sethy) 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 and nature of injury. 8. If it comes to the fore that the Petitioner Nos.2 to 4 are concerned (Jaga Pradhan @ Jagannath Pradhan, Kumari Pradhan @ Kumari Sethy and Raja Sethy @ Raji Sethy) have any criminal antecedent and injury suffered by the injured is grievous, this order shall not be given effect to. 9. It is needless to state that the Petitioner Nos.2 to 4 are concerned (Jaga Pradhan @ Jagannath Pradhan, Kumari Pradhan @ Kumari Sethy and Raja Sethy @ Raji Sethy) shall cooperate with the ongoing investigation. 10. It is further directed that Petitioner Nos.2 to 4 are concerned (Jaga Pradhan @ Jagannath Pradhan, Kumari Pradhan @ Kumari Sethy and Raja Sethy @ Raji Sethy) shall not in any way try to intimidate the Informant and her family. Page 5 of 5 11. It shall be open for the Informant/ prosecution to seek variance of this order in the event there is any threat perception. 12. Additionally, it is directed that Petitioner Nos.2 to 4 are concerned (Jaga Pradhan @ Jagannath Pradhan, Kumari Pradhan @ Kumari Sethy and Raja Sethy @ Raji Sethy) shall appear before the jurisdictional police station once every week on such date and time to be fixed by the learned Court in seisin till the submission of final form. Certification of such appearance shall be submitted to the Court in seisin. 13. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Soumya