IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

BLAPL No. 11042 of 2025

Sonjit Bhownik @ Sanjit Bhowmick … Petitioner

Mr. D.K. Mohapatra, Advocate

along with

Mr. S.K. Dashmohapatra, Advocate

-versus-

State of Odisha … Opposite Party

Mr. A.K. Nayak, Advocate(OPID)

CORAM:

JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY

ORDER(ORAL)

06.01.2026

Order No

03. IA No. 1177 of 2025 & BLAPL No. 11042 of 2025

1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid

Arrangement (Virtual/Physical Mode).

2. In view of the submission as advanced for the Petitioner, the IA No. 1177 of 2025 stands disposed of

as not pressed.

3. This is an application U/S. 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Surakshya Sanhita, 2023 (in short, “BNSS”) by the petitioner for grant of bail in connection with CT Case No. 01 of 2017 arising out of Bhubaneswar PS Case No. 21 of 2016 pending in the Court of learned Presiding Officer, Designated Court under OPID Act, Cuttack for commission of offences punishable U/Ss.4/5/6 of PCMCS(Banning) Act, r/w Section 6 of OPID Act, on the main allegation of cheating the innocent investors by collecting investment from them

on the assurance of giving high returns and running the financial institution without any authority.

4. Heard, Mr. Dillip Kumar Mohapatra, learned counsel by filing an appearance memo along with Mr. Suryakanta Dasmohapatra, learned counsel for the Petitioner and Mr. Anil Kumar Nayak, learned counsel for the OPID in the matter and perused the record.

5. The allegation against the Petitioner appears to be cheating the innocent investors for a sum of Rs. 1,07,00,000/- (Rupees One Crore and Seven Lakhs) as disclosed by learned counsel for the OPID, but it is undisputed that the Petitioner is in custody for more than eight years, however, the trial is yet to be concluded. In that view of the matter and taking into account the long detention of the Petitioner in custody without the trial being concluded which tantamount to deprivation of personal liberty and keeping in view the other circumstances on record in entirety including the inherent right of the accused to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial, this Court without expressing any view on merits admits the petitioner to bail.

6. Hence, the bail application of the petitioner stands allowed and he be allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds in the sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh) 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 conditions:-

(i) The petitioner shall cooperate in the trial by attending the Court on each date of posting unless his attendance is dispensed with by the learned trial Court and (ii) 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.

7. Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of.

Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules.

(G. Satapathy)

Judge Priyajit Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: PRIYAJIT SAHOO Reason: Authentication Location: HIGH COURT OF ORISSA Date: 07-Jan-2026 11:31:06