p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 1629 of 2026 Basanta Majhi …. Petitioner Mr. S.K.Dwibedi, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Ms. B.K.Sahu, AGA CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 23.03.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties. 2. Instant petition under Section 482 BNSS is filed seeking pre-arrest bail of the petitioner in connection with Koksara P.S. Case No.194 of 2025 pending in the file of learned Additional Sessions Judge-cum- Special Judge under POCSO Act, Bhawanipatna corresponding to C.T. Case No. 204/60 of 2025 on the grounds stated. 3. Perused the F.I.R. as at Annexure-1. Recorded the submission of Mr. Dwibedi, learned counsel for the petitioner and also objection of Ms. Sahu, learned AGA for the State, according to whom, the present accused is a sexual offender. Perused the case diary and the statement of the victim recorded under Section 183 BNSS. It is claimed that the co- accused persons are released on bail after a compromise p. 2 between the parties. Having regard to the offence alleged under Section 137(2) BNS, the Court is not inclined to consider plea of pre-arrest bail as has been demanded by the petitioner, who is, however, at liberty to surrender before the learned court below seeking regular bail. 4. Accordingly, it is ordered. 5. In the result, the ABLAPL is disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. In the event, the petitioner surrenders before the court of learned Additional Sessions Judge-cum- Special Judge under POCSO Act, Bhawanipatna within a fortnight and moves an application for bail, it shall be considered in connection with C.T. Case No. 204/60 of 2025 corresponding to Koksara P.S. Case No.194 of 2025 and followed by an order according to law. It is directed that the application for bail of the petitioner shall be disposed of on merit without being influenced by the above order of rejection. 6. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge Kabita