IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 4137 of 2026 Shibaprasad Barik @ Deepak Barik @ Dipu …. Petitioner Mr. H.K. Mohanta, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. A.K. Pati, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 01.05.2026 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 C.T. Case No.301 of 2026 pending on the file of learned J.M.F.C.-I (Cog. Taking), Baripada, arising out of Kuliana P.S. Case No.52 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 318(2)/ 318(4)/ 351(2)/ 351(3)/ 3(5) of BNS, 2023. 3. The allegation against the Petitioner is that he duped the informant to the tune of Rs.1,00,000/- for providing magic coin (Hanuman Paisa). 4. Learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that since the investigation has progressed substantially, Petitioner may be released on pre-arrest bail. 5. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail, referring to the antecedents of the Petitioners, which run thus; i. Jharpokharia P.S. Case No.55 of 2023 U/s.341/323/506/34 IPC ii. Kuliana PS Case No.50 of 2020 U/s.294/ 307/ 323/ 325/ 34/ 341/ 506 IPC iii. Kuliana PS Case No.120 of 2025 U/s.189(2)/ 326(b)/ 221/ 190 BNS iv. Kuliana PS Case No.121 of 2025 U/s.126(2)/ 296/ 132/ 115(2)/ 3(5) of BNS 6. Considering the same, this Court is not inclined to entertain the application for pre-arrest bail. However, in the event the Petitioner surrenders before the learned Court in seisin in the aforesaid case and moves an application for his release on bail, the same shall be considered on its own merit. 7. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Santoshi