IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 2863 of 2026 1. Lohit Kumar Patel 2. Rinku Raj Patel …. Petitioners Mr. S.K. Panda, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. P.K Ray, AGA CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 23.04.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioners and learned counsel for the State. 2. The Petitioners are seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with C.T. Case No.308 of 2026 pending on the file of learned Court in seisin, Jharsuguda arising out of Jharsuguda Sadar P.S. Case No.91 of 2026, for commission of offences punishable under Sections 112(2), 3(5), 317(2), 317(4), 317(5), 318(4), 61(2) of BNS, 2023 read with Section 66(C) of IT Act, 2000. 3. The allegations against the present Petitioners is runs thus: “That, the brief facts of the case is that on 18.02.2026, the SI of Jharsuguda Police Station lodged an FIR regarding the rising incidents of cybercrime and fraudulent activities by cyber syndicates cheating innocent citizens. Pursuant to Cyber Kavach, a special operation launched by Odisha Police on 13.02.2026 under directions of the CID Crime Branch, data relating to mule accounts, cheque withdrawals, and ATM withdrawals within Jharsuguda Town jurisdiction was collected through NCRP/I4C portals. During investigation, it was found that a group of persons, including the petitioners, were allegedly involved in opening multiple bank accounts in the names of innocent citizens by obtaining their personal details, procuring ATM cards, and supplying the same to cyber fraud gangs operating from Jharkhand and other states. Fraud proceeds were allegedly routed through these accounts to conceal the source and beneficiaries of the crime. ” 4. It is submitted by the learned counsel that the Petitioners are not named as accused in the F.I.R. Hence, they may be protected by pre-arrest bail. 5. Learned counsel for the State opposes such prayer. 6. Considering the nature of allegations and the specialize nature of investigation is required in cases of this nature, which have intra and inter state and international ramifications, this Court is not persuaded to hold that the Petitioners are entitled to the exceptional relief of pre-arrest bail. In this context, this Court relies on the judgment of the Apex Court in the case of Serious Fraud Investigation Office v. Aditya Sarda Reported in 2025 SCC Online SC 764. 7. The ABLAPL is accordingly disposed of. U.C.C. as per rules. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Soumya Designation: Jr. Stenographer