IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No.5063 of 2026 Bapuji Pradhan … Petitioner Mr. M. Kanungo, Sr. Advocate along with Mr. A. Mishra, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha … Opposite Party Mr. R.B. Mishra, Addl. PP CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY ORDER(ORAL):02.07.2026Order No. 01. 1. This is a bail application U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioner for grant of bail in connection with Angul PS Case No.333 of 2026 corresponding to GR Case No.827 of 2026 pending in the file of learned SDJM, Angul, for commission of offences punishable U/Ss.64(2)(m)/123/ 316(2)/351(2) of BNS, on the main allegation of committing rape upon the victim and misappropriating her money after taking personal loan of Rs.37 Lakhs in her name. 2. In the course of hearing, Mr. Milan Kanungo, learned Senior Counsel, who is being assisted by Mr. Asish Mishra, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that although the victim has alleged rape on her by the petitioner, but the petitioner and the victim were in a partnership business and in such business, the petitioner had in fact taken loan, but he has already repaid Rs.31 Lakhs, which is evident from the statement of the victim herself and the allegation against the petitioner for committing sexual intercourse has no basis, since the victim although has stated to have been sexually exploited by the petitioner on different dates, but the victim for the Page 1 of 3

first time is coming up with such allegation in this case, even though the petitioner and the victim are in partnership business since 2020. Mr. Kanungo further submits that in the meantime, investigation has already been completed and charge-sheet has already been filed, but the petitioner is in custody since 23.04.2026 and, therefore, there may not be any impediment to grant bail to the petitioner. Under these submissions, Mr. Kanungo prays to grant bail to the petitioner. 2.1. On the other hand, Mr. R.B. Mishra, learned Addl. Public Prosecutor by placing the statement of the victim submits that the petitioner being found to have committed sexual intercourse upon the victim by blackmailing her, the petitioner should not be granted bail.

3. After having considered the rival submissions upon perusal of record, there appears no doubt allegation against the petitioner for committing rape upon the victim, but the statement of the victim indicates that she and the petitioner are known to each other since 2020 and the petitioner had allegedly taken loan in her name, but the petitioner had repaid some amount leaving only Rs.5 Lakhs to be repaid. It is, however, alleged that the petitioner by administering something in her soft drink got the victim unconscious and had relationship by capturing her nude photographs. The victim has lodged the FIR on 22.04.2026, but the alleged incident relates back to 25.10.2023 and 25.09.2025 and the victim is aged about 40 years, but the petitioner is aged about 30 years. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances and taking into account the progress of investigation and keeping in Page 2 of 3 view the pre-trial detention of the petitioner in custody and no materials having been collected to indicate that the petitioner poses flight risk or tamper with the prosecution evidence, this Court without expressing any view on merits admits the petitioner to bail.

4. Hence, the bail application of the petitioner stands allowed and the petitioner is allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five Thousand) only with two solvent sureties each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin of the case on such terms and conditions as deem fit and proper by it with following condition:- (i) the petitioner in the course of trial shall attend the trial Court on each date of posting without fail unless his attendance is dispensed with. In case the Petitioner fails without sufficient cause to appear in the Court in accordance with the terms of the bail, the learned trial Court may proceed against the Petitioner for offence U/S.269 of BNS, 2023 in accordance with law & (ii) the petitioner shall surrender his passport, if any (if not already surrendered/seized), and in case, he is not a holder of the same, he shall swear an affidavit to that effect. 5. Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of. A soft copy of this order be immediately communicated to the concerned Court, who shall afterwards communicate the same to the concerned Jail through e-mail for reference. (G. Satapathy) JudgeSignature SubhasmitaNot Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: SUBHASMITA DAS Designation: Sr. Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 02-Jul-2026 21:23:35 Page 3 of 3

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No.5063 of 2026 Bapuji Pradhan … Petitioner Mr. M. Kanungo, Sr. Advocate along with Mr. A. Mishra, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha … Opposite Party Mr. R.B. Mishra, Addl. PP CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY ORDER(ORAL):02.07.2026Order No. 01. 1. This is a bail application U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioner for grant of bail in connection with Angul PS Case No.333 of 2026 corresponding to GR Case No.827 of 2026 pending in the file of learned SDJM, Angul, for commission of offences punishable U/Ss.64(2)(m)/123/ 316(2)/351(2) of BNS, on the main allegation of committing rape upon the victim and misappropriating her money after taking personal loan of Rs.37 Lakhs in her name. 2. In the course of hearing, Mr. Milan Kanungo, learned Senior Counsel, who is being assisted by Mr. Asish Mishra, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that although the victim has alleged rape on her by the petitioner, but the petitioner and the victim were in a partnership business and in such business, the petitioner had in fact taken loan, but he has already repaid Rs.31 Lakhs, which is evident from the statement of the victim herself and the allegation against the petitioner for committing sexual intercourse has no basis, since the victim although has stated to have been sexually exploited by the petitioner on different dates, but the victim for the Page 1 of 3

first time is coming up with such allegation in this case, even though the petitioner and the victim are in partnership business since 2020. Mr. Kanungo further submits that in the meantime, investigation has already been completed and charge-sheet has already been filed, but the petitioner is in custody since 23.04.2026 and, therefore, there may not be any impediment to grant bail to the petitioner. Under these submissions, Mr. Kanungo prays to grant bail to the petitioner. 2.1. On the other hand, Mr. R.B. Mishra, learned Addl. Public Prosecutor by placing the statement of the victim submits that the petitioner being found to have committed sexual intercourse upon the victim by blackmailing her, the petitioner should not be granted bail.

3. After having considered the rival submissions upon perusal of record, there appears no doubt allegation against the petitioner for committing rape upon the victim, but the statement of the victim indicates that she and the petitioner are known to each other since 2020 and the petitioner had allegedly taken loan in her name, but the petitioner had repaid some amount leaving only Rs.5 Lakhs to be repaid. It is, however, alleged that the petitioner by administering something in her soft drink got the victim unconscious and had relationship by capturing her nude photographs. The victim has lodged the FIR on 22.04.2026, but the alleged incident relates back to 25.10.2023 and 25.09.2025 and the victim is aged about 40 years, but the petitioner is aged about 30 years. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances and taking into account the progress of investigation and keeping in Page 2 of 3 view the pre-trial detention of the petitioner in custody and no materials having been collected to indicate that the petitioner poses flight risk or tamper with the prosecution evidence, this Court without expressing any view on merits admits the petitioner to bail.

4. Hence, the bail application of the petitioner stands allowed and the petitioner is allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five Thousand) only with two solvent sureties each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin of the case on such terms and conditions as deem fit and proper by it with following condition:- (i) the petitioner in the course of trial shall attend the trial Court on each date of posting without fail unless his attendance is dispensed with. In case the Petitioner fails without sufficient cause to appear in the Court in accordance with the terms of the bail, the learned trial Court may proceed against the Petitioner for offence U/S.269 of BNS, 2023 in accordance with law & (ii) the petitioner shall surrender his passport, if any (if not already surrendered/seized), and in case, he is not a holder of the same, he shall swear an affidavit to that effect. 5. Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of. A soft copy of this order be immediately communicated to the concerned Court, who shall afterwards communicate the same to the concerned Jail through e-mail for reference. (G. Satapathy) JudgeSignature SubhasmitaNot Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: SUBHASMITA DAS Designation: Sr. Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 02-Jul-2026 21:23:35 Page 3 of 3