IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.268 of 2026 Sanjukta Lenka …. Petitioner Mr. H. Panda, Advocate -Versus-

State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mrs. S. Nayak, ASC And ABLAPL No.269 of 2026 Abhaya Kumar Lenka …. Petitioner Mr. H. Panda, Advocate -Versus-

State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mrs. S. Nayak, ASC CORAM:

MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK

ORDER

Order 15.01.2026 No.

02. 1. Both the BLAPLs are disposed of by the following common order.

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and State.

3. Instant petitions have been filed under Section 482 BNSS by the petitioners seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Chauliaganj P.S. Case No.624 of 2025 pending in the court of learned S.D.J.M., Cuttack on the grounds stated.

4. Gone through the contents of the FIR i.e. Annexure-1. The details of the circumstances leading to the lodging of the FIR are revealed from Annexure-1. The allegation is primarily directed against the husband, namely, Amulya Lenka. On a reading of Annexure-1, the Court finds that there has been a demand of dowry from the family of the informant. The mischief allegedly committed by the husband while the informant was a student at an educational institution is also revealed from the FIR. The Court finds that there has been a marriage between the informant and the accused husband thereafter. From the report, it is also made to understand that the informant was ill-treated after such marriage. The allegations are also made to the effect that the petitioners committed the mischief, such as, with regard to the demand of dowry and for having supported the accused husband. From the FIR, it is suggested that the informant’s father availed loan and arranged an amount of Rs.33 lac and some odd and paid it to the family of the accused husband.

5. Recorded the submission of Mr. Panda, learned counsel for the petitioners who submits that the allegation is against the accused husband regarding the sexual mischief committed before marriage with the daughter of the informant and thereafter, the other events followed. Recorded the objection of the learned counsel for the State. The marriage between the parties took place in the year 2024 and thereafter, the relationship between them appears to have deteriorated ultimately resulting in the lodging of the FIR alleging therein about the demand and mischief committed by all the accused persons. Considering the role played by the petitioners and the fact that entire allegation is primarily directed against the accused husband, this Court, recording the objection of the State, is of the view that even though the petitioners alleged to have committed some excess, though not be released with pre- arrest bail but should be directed to surrender before the learned court below to be released with suitable conditions imposed.

6. Accordingly, it is ordered.

7. In the result, the ABLAPLs are disposed of with a direction for the petitioners to surrender before the court of learned S.D.J.M., Cuttack in connection with a case registered arising out of Chauliaganj P.S. Case No.624 of 2025 within a fortnight from today and upon their surrender, they shall be released on bail with conditions as deemed just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case besides the following, such as, none of them shall commit any further mischief or involve themselves in any manner whatsoever detrimental to the interest of the informant and also the victim.

8. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules.

(R.K. Pattanaik)

Judge TUDU Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: THAKURDAS TUDU Designation: Sr. Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: OHC,CTC Date: 16-Jan-2026 17:42:44