Gourab Sethi vs State Of Odisha .... Opposite Party
2025 Latest Caselaw 1286 Ori

Orissa High Court

Gourab Sethi vs State Of Odisha .... Opposite Party on 15 July, 2025

Author: V. Narasingh

Bench: V. Narasingh

             IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

                        ABLAPL No.7872 of 2025

         Gourab Sethi                ....            Petitioner
                                     Ms. S. Panda, Advocate
                                -versus-

        State of Odisha              ....       Opposite Party
                                           Mr. C.R. Swain, AGA

                           CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH

                                  ORDER

Order                           15.07.2025
No.
01.     1.     Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and
        learned counsel for the State.

2. The Petitioner is seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with G.R. Case No.2328 of 2024 pending on the file of learned JMFC, Khalikote, Ganjam, arising out of Rambha P.S. Case No.773 of 2024 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 312/3(5) of BNS, 2023 read with Section 25(1)(a)/27 of Arms Act.

3. The allegation against the Petitioner is that though he was involved in the alleged offence just to cover it up he has filed the FIR in question as complaintant.

4. Learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that such allegations are too farfetched and since the co-accused have already been released on bail vide order dated 04.07.2025 in ABLAPL No.7474 of 2025, Petitioner may be protected by pre-arrest bail, inter alia, on the ground of parity.

5. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail.

6. Learned counsel for the State on the basis of materials on record submits that it is the Petitioner who is the master mind of the whole FIR and just to wriggle out the complicity he has lodged the complaint as stated.

7. It is also submitted that the Petitioner has one criminal antecedent being cited as an accused in Bada Bazar P.S. Case No.184 of 2012, inter alia, under Section 302/34/120(B) of IPC read with Section 25(1-B)(a)/27 of Arms Act.

8. Per contra, learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that the Petitioner has since been acquitted in the said case by judgment dated 08.05.2019 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Berhampur, Ganjam in ST Case No.389 of 2013. The xerox copy of the judgment submitted by the learned counsel for the Petitioner is taken on record.

9. Taking into account the nature of allegations, this Court directs that on surrendering within three weeks hence and moving for bail, the Petitioner shall be released on bail by the learned Court in seisin on such terms as deemed just and proper.

10. Before releasing the learned Court shall verify as to whether order of this Court has been assailed before the Apex Court and if so, the result thereof.

11. It is needless to state that the Petitioner shall cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

12. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of.

(V. NARASINGH) Judge

Jina

Designation: Junior Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 16-Jul-2025 11:28:46