Extracted from the PDF above. The PDF is authoritative.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK CRLA No.11 of 2026
Sangram Bag … Appellant
Mr. S. Dwibedi, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha and another … Respondents Mr. C. Mahanty, Addl. PP
CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY
Order No.
ORDER(ORAL):30.07.2026
03.
1. This criminal appeal in the nature of bail U/S.14- A of the Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 together with amendment Act, 2016 (in short, “the Act”) is directed against the impugned order dated 03.12.2025 passed in Special GR Case No.30 of 2025 by which the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Patnagarh, has refused to grant bail to the appellant in connection with Khaprakhol PS Case No.268 of 2025 for commission of offence punishable U/Ss. 69/89/296/115(2) BNS r/w sec. 3(1)(r)(s)(2)(v)(va) of the Act, on the main allegation of co-habiting with the victim belonging to “ST” community and getting her pregnancy terminated by taking advantage of her caste .
2. Heard, Mr. Suryakanta Dwibedi, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr. C. Mahanty, learned Additional Public Prosecutor in the matter and perused the record, but none appears for the informant/victim despite being duly intimated as apprised by learned Addl. PP.
3. After having considered the rival submissions and taking into consideration the nature and gravity of
the offence alleged against the appellant vis-a-vis the accusations sought to be brought against him and regard being had to the pre trial detention of the appellant in custody since 20.11.2025 with submission of charge sheet in the meantime and taking into account the other circumstances on record in entirety including the statement of the victim and keeping in view the inherent right of the accused-appellant to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial, this Court without expressing any view on the merits, considers it proper to admit the appellant to bail.
4. Hence, the CRLA stands allowed and the impugned order is, hereby set aside. Consequently, the appellant is directed to be released on bail on such terms and conditions as deem fit and proper by the learned Court in seisin over the matter.
5. Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules. A soft copy of this order be immediately communicated to the concerned Court, who shall afterwards communicate the same to the concerned Jail through e-mail for reference.
(G. Satapathy)
Judge
Priyajit