p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 2597 of 2026 Saroj Mallick @ Saroj Kumar Mallick …. Petitioner Mr. B.P. Pradhan, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. P.K. Ray, AGA CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 22.04.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and learned counsel for the State. 2. The Petitioner is seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with G.R. Case No. 170/2026 pending on the file of learned J.M.F.C.(City), Cuttack, arising out of CRRI P.S. Case No.41/2026 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 351(2)/ 74/ 296/ 115(2) / 132 / 3(5) of BNS, 2023. 3. It is submitted by the learned counsel that the FIR has been instituted against Petitioner, on extraneous consideration. Hence, he may be protected by pre-arrest bail. 4. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail, inter alia, referring to the allegations relating to Section 132 of BNSS. 5. Taking into account the nature of allegations and punishment prescribed, it is directed that on p. 2 surrendering within three weeks hence and moving for bail, the Petitioner shall be released on bail by the learned Court in seisin on such terms as deemed just and proper. 6. It is needless to state that the Petitioner shall cooperate with the ongoing investigation. 7. The ABLAPL is accordingly disposed of. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Jina