AI Structured Summary
Not yet generated for this judgment
Judgment
G. Satapathy, J.
These are bail applications U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioners for grant of bail in connection with Cuttack UPD Cyber Crime & Economic Offence P.S. Case No. 0014 of 2026 corresponding to GR Case No. 138 of 2026 pending in the file of learned JMFC-I (Cog. Taking), Cuttack for commission of offences punishable U/Ss. 318(4)/ 319(2)/ 308(2)/ 112(2) of BNS r/w Sec.66-C/66-D of IT Act, on the main allegation of deceiving the informant for a sum of Rs.1Crores 55Lakhs and some odd amount by way of online financial fraud, along with co-accused persons in furtherance of their common intention.
In the course of hearing Mr. Lalatendu Samantaray, learned Sr. counsel who is being assisted by Mr. Ashutosh Sahoo, learned counsel for the petitioner in BLAPL No.3670 of 2026 submits that there appears albeit allegation against the petitioner for deceiving the informant for a sum of Rs.1.5Crores approximately, but the role attributed to the petitioner is very limited for some amount in lakh and even if, the materials on record are taken into consideration, the petitioner having received a sum of Rs.8lakhs on behalf of the principal accused Saroj Jena and handing over the same to him, no criminal liability can be fastened on the petitioner for cheating the informant, rather at best he would be considered for abetting the commission of the crime, however, the offences being triable by magistrate and the role of the petitioner being very limited, the petitioner may kindly be admitted to bail.
In echoing such submission, Mr. Jagabandhu Sahoo, learned Sr. counsel who is being assisted by Mr. Subhajeet Sahu, learned counsel for the petitioner in BLAPL No.5056 of 2026 submits that the allegation against the petitioner is for receiving Rs.98,000/- in the same manner as that of co-accused and thereby, the petitioner may kindly be admitted to bail.
In opposing such prayer of bail Mr. P. Satpathy, learned Addl. PP submits that he has got instruction that the present petitioner Manoranjan Routray has received Rs.9,37,000/- and the petitioner Sangram Jena @ Bubun has received Rs.1,97,000/-, but they have not refunded the money, either to the informant or to anybody and they being prima facie involved in the case, their bail applications may kindly be rejected.
After having considered the rival submission upon perusal of record, there appears allegations against the petitioners for assisting the principal accused Saroj Jena in deceiving the informant, but the alleged financial liability of the petitioners even considering the submission for the State, it would not beyond Rs.10lakhs or 2lakhs against the petitioners, however, the petitioners are in custody since 17.03.2026, but in the meantime charge-sheet has already been submitted. Further Mr. Samantaray and Mr. Sahoo has amply disclosed about one criminal antecedent of the petitioners in which they are already on bail and that is being not disputed by the learned State counsel. In the aforesaid facts and situation and taking into account the materials so placed on record and keeping in view the other circumstances on record in entirety including the offences being triable by magistrate and the inherent right of the accused-petitioners to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial and lastly, applying the law laid down by the Apex Court in Satender Kumar Antil Vrs. Central Bureau of Investigation; (2022) 10 SCC 51, this Court without expressing any view on merit admits each of the petitioner to bail.
Hence, these two bail applications of the petitioners namely Manoranjan Routray (BLAPL No.3670 of 2026) and Sangram Jena @ Bubun (BLAPL No.5056 of 2026) stand allowed and each of the petitioners are allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) 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.
Accordingly, these BLAPLs stand disposed of. Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules. 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.