IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.2996 of 2026 Swapnarani Behera …. Petitioner(s) Mr. Pradeep Kumar Pradhan, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party(s) Mr. P.S. Nayak, AGA CORAM: JUSTICE SIBO SANKAR MISHRA Order No. ORDER 23.04.2026 01. 1. Heard. 2. The petitioner is seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Malgodown P.S. Case No.67 of 2026 corresponding to G.R. Case No.171 of 2026 registered for alleged commission of the offence punishable under Sections 296, 351(4), 3(5) of the BNS, 2023, pending in the Court of the learned J.M.F.C-III, Cog. taking, Cuttack. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner, on instruction from the petitioner, submits that except the present bail application, no other bail application of the petitioner is pending in any other Court relating to the aforesaid F.I.R. 4. The allegation against the petitioner is that on 17.02.2026, the informant reported at the P.S. that she has been staying in Pravati Ladies Hostel from 14th August, 2025. On 16.02.2025 at about 6.00 P.M., her roommate Swapna was talking to her boyfriend over mobile phone. During the talk the boyfriend of Swapna scolded her in filthy languages. She opposed it. After that Swapna gave the informant’s mobile number to her boyfriend and her boyfriend started abusing her in filthy languages, mentally harassed her and started threatening to her. Hence, the F.I.R. 5. The Petitioner is 25 years young student and the incident happened in the Ladies Hostel of the College. 6. Regard being had to the nature of allegation against the petitioner and the fact that the petitioner is 25 years young student, I am inclined to grant the petitioner anticipatory bail. Accordingly, it is directed that, in the event, the petitioner is arrested, she will be released by the Arresting Officer, subject to the verification of the criminal antecedents of similar nature. The release of the petitioner shall also be subject to the conditions that she will cooperate with the investigation and will appear before the I.O. as and when her presence is required for the purpose of investigation; she will not indulge in similar criminal offences while on bail; she will appear before the trial Court on each and every date of posting of the case, if not presented by sufficient cause. Violation of any of the conditions shall entail cancellation of bail. 7. The ABLAPL is, accordingly, disposed of. (S.S. Mishra) Judge Subhasis/Suchitra