p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No.2308 of 2026 Tutu @ Bikram Gangei …. Petitioner Mr. K. Mohanty, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. A. K. Pati, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 24.04.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and learned counsel for the State. 2. The Petitioner is an accused in connection with S.T. Case No.206 of 2025 pending on the file of learned Sessions Judge, Balasore arising out of Singla P.S. Case No.96 of 2024 for commission of offence alleged under Sections 498-A and 306 of IPC read with Section 4 of DP Act. 3. The prosecution case is that on 19.05.2024, the informant lodged an FIR stating that he had solemnized the marriage of his daughter, Munirani Behera @ Gangei, with Bikram Gangei, giving gold, silver ornaments and Rs. 30,000/- as dowry. After about two years of marriage and birth of a female child, her husband allegedly subjected her to physical p. 2 and mental torture, demanding additional dowry. On 15.05.2024, the accused persons, namely Bikram Gangei and his family members, allegedly administered poison to her and shifted her to FMMCH, Balasore for treatment, informing the informant. On 17.05.2024 at about 11:00 PM, she succumbed during treatment at Cuttack. It is alleged that the accused persons committed her murder by administering poison, hence the FIR. 4. Learned counsel, on instruction, submits that except the present BLAPL, no other bail application of the Petitioner relating to the aforementioned P.S. case is pending in any other Court. 5. Being aggrieved by the rejection of his application for bail U/s.483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) by the learned Sessions Judge, Balasore by order dated 18.02.2026 in the aforementioned cases, the present BLAPL has been filed. 6. It is submitted by the learned counsel that the Petitioner is in custody since 10.01.2025 and since the informant (PW.5) has not supported the prosecution, he may be released on bail. It is also submitted that the father of the victim has not been cited as a witness. 7. Such submission is opposed by the learned counsel for the State and submits that if the tenor of p. 3 the statement of the PW.5 is taken as a whole, the offence against the Petitioner is well made out. Hence, he ought not to be released on bail. 8. Considering the progress in trial and the tenor of the statement as noted, there is bleak chance of the Petitioner influencing the witnesses in the given circumstances. Hence, this Court directs the Petitioner to be released on bail on such terms to be fixed by the learned Court in seisin so as to ensure his presence during the trial. 9. Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of. 10. Urgent certified copy of this order be granted as per rules. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Jina