ORDER

1. The Petitioner, who is a Senior Journalist having 20 years of experience in his profession and presently working as the Editor-in-Chief of an Online News Portal 'Reporters Today' and Editor-in-Chief of Odia Daily 'Mahabharat', has approached this Court by filing the present bail application challenging rejection of his bail application vide order dated 12.01.2024 passed by the learned Presiding Officer, Designated Court under the OPID Act, Cuttack, arising out of Economic Offence Wing Bhubaneswar P.S. Case No.26 of 2023, corresponding to C.T. Case No.125 of 2023 for commission of offence punishable under Sections 420/467/468/471/506 of the I.P.C.

2. The prosecution case as unfurled from the F.I.R. allegation is that the Informant, namely, one Kalinga Keshari Rath has a real estate business since last 12 years. It further appears that he has various projects in and around Bhubaneswar and Puri. In connection with his real estate business, the petitioner is required to obtain various clearances/approvals from the Government/agencies/authorities for his construction work. In April, 2023, the Informant came in contact with the present Petitioner, who had come to the Informant in