IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.163 of 2026 Rajib Lochan Das …. Petitioner Mr. D.R. Mohapatra, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S. Panda, ASC Mr. M. Kanungo, Sr. Advocate for Informant CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 31.03.2026 I.A. No.498 of 2026 05. 1. Recorded the submissions of Mr. Mohapatra, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Kanungo, learned Senior Advocate for the informant besides Mr. Panda, learned ASC for the State. 2. Instant IA is filed by the petitioner seeking extension of interim protection order dated 12th January, 2026 passed in the ABLAPL earlier extended by order dated 20th February, 2026 subject to conditions. 3. In the meantime, FIR has been lodged and hence, ABLAPL No.2640 of 2026 is filed along with the connected ABLAPL pending disposal. 4. Mr. Kanungo, learned Senior Advocate for the informant strongly objects to the further extension and submits that the petitioner should not be granted any such extension when he is not extending any co-operation during the investigation as it was earlier directed by this Court’s order dated 7th March, 2026, while dealing with IA No.332 of 2026. In view of the above submission that regular ABLAPL is filed post-lodging the FIR and therefore, the extension should not be allowed, this Court, at this juncture, is inclined to direct the State to ascertain whether the petitioner is co-operating the IO in the investigation in compliance of the order in the other IA and to report back. Mr. Mohapatra, learned counsel for the petitioner, however, denies any such claim that the petitioner is not extending co-operation in the investigation and instead refers to Annexures-I/1 & I/2. 5. List on 9th April, 2026 for final order. 6. Interim order is extended till the next date fixed. 7. A copy of the IA is directed to be served on learned counsel for the informant which is complied with in the Court itself. One more copy be served on the State by tomorrow. 8. List on the date fixed. 9. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules and in course of the day. 10. A copy of the order be supplied to Mr. Panda, learned ASC for the State for its onward intimation and compliance. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge TUDU Designation: Sr. Stenographer