p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No.4038 of 2026 Subrat Khilar @ Papu …. Petitioner(s) Mr. Amlan Shakti Paul, Adv. -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party(s) Mr. Tej Kumar, ASC CORAM: HON’BLE DR.JUSTICE SANJEEB K PANIGRAHI Order No. 01. ORDER 06.05.2026 F.I.R. No. Dated Police Station Case No. and Courts’ Name Sections 74 27.02. 2026 Aska G.R. Case No.300 of 2026, J.M.F.C. (Cog.), Aska 319(2)/318(4) /316(2)/61(2)/ 116(6) of the BNS and Sections 66(C)/66(D) of the I.T. Act. 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement. 2. Heard learned counsel for the Parties. 3. The Petitioner, being in custody in connection with Aska P.S. Case No.74 dated 27.02.2026, corresponding to G.R. Case No.300 of 2026, pending in the Court of learned J.M.F.C. (Cog.), Aska, registered for the alleged commission Digitally Signed Signed by: SIPUN BEHERA Reason: Authentication Location: HIGH COURT OF ORISSA, CUTTACK Date: 07-May-2026 19:17:07 Signature Not Verified p. 2 of offences under Sections 319(2)/318(4)/316(2)/61(2)/116(6) of the BNS and Section 66(C)/66(D) of the I.T. Act, has filed this petition for his release on bail. 4. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 27.02.2026, informant Sudhir Kumar Sahoo lodged a report at Aska Police Station on the basis of information received from CID Cyber Crime regarding suspicious NCRP-linked bank accounts allegedly used in cyber fraud transactions. During investigation, it came to light that one bank account in Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Aska Branch, standing in the name of Laxmi Naik, reflected fraudulent transactions amounting to ₹90,000/-. It is alleged that the present Petitioner along with co-accused persons had induced villagers to open bank accounts and thereafter supplied ATM cards, passbooks and banking credentials to the principal accused for routing cyber-fraud money. 5. Learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that the Petitioner is a young boy and is in judicial custody since 28.02.2026. It is further submitted that the Petitioner is not the beneficiary of the alleged cheated amount and there is no material to show his direct involvement in the monetary transactions. The allegation against the Petitioner is limited to opening of certain bank accounts and handing over ATM cards/passbooks to the principal accused on payment of ₹5,000/- per account, allegedly without knowledge of the p. 3 consequences. It is also submitted that investigation has substantially progressed and further detention of the Petitioner is not warranted. 6. Learned counsel for the State vehemently opposes the prayer for bail contending that the offences alleged are serious in nature involving cyber fraud and organized cheating of innocent persons. Accordingly, he prays for rejection of the bail application. 7. Considering the submissions made, the nature of allegations, the period of detention of the Petitioner since 28.02.2026, absence of any material showing direct receipt of the defrauded amount by the Petitioner and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to allow the prayer for bail. 8. Accordingly, it is directed that the Petitioner be released on bail in the aforesaid case on such terms and conditions as deemed just and proper by the learned Court in seisin over the matter, including the conditions that: i. the Petitioner shall appear before the learned trial Court on each date fixed; ii. the Petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence or try to influence any witness; iii. the Petitioner shall not involve himself in any offence of similar nature while on bail. Page 4 of 4 9. Violation of any of the above conditions shall entail cancellation of bail. 10. The bail application is accordingly allowed and disposed of. 11. Issue urgent certified copy of this Order as per Rules. (Dr. Sanjeeb K Panigrahi) Judge Sipun