Prakash Rana vs State of Odisha

G. Satapathy, J.

This is a bail application U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioner for grant of bail in connection with Dharmasala PS Case No.602 of 2025 corresponding to CT Case No.1899 of 2025 pending in the Court of learned JMFC, Chandikhole for commission of offences punishable under Sections 316(5)/318(4)/336(2)/338 of BNS.

The allegation against the petitioner emanates from the FIR in Dharmasala PS Case No.602 of 2025 lodged by Jayadev Tripathy, Chief Manager, UCO Bank Jaraka Branch alleging therein that the petitioner was empanelled as business correspondent of the UCO Bank, Dharmasala Branch, but subsequently he was de-panelled from the business of the Bank, however, on 28.07.2025 some of the customer namely Siba Pradhan, Sumitra Pradhan, Barsha Pradhan, Rabindra Sahoo, Chandramani Khatua, Batakrushna Behera, Sabita Samal and Anupama Sahani, reported that the petitioner had fraudulently taken away a total sum of rupees twenty lakhs and some odd amount by forging documents and their signatures/thumb impression. Accordingly, the petitioner was taken into custody in this case, but in the course of investigation, sufficient material was collected and the IO submitted charge-sheet against the petitioner for commission of offence punishable U/S.316(2)/316(4)/336(2)/338 of the BNS.

Heard Mr. Bikash Chandra Parija, learned counsel for the petitioner; Mr. Akshaya Kumar Sahoo, learned counsel for the informant and Mr. P. Satpathy, learned Addl. PP in the matter and perused the record.

After having considered the rival submission and taking into consideration the nature and gravity of the offence as alleged against the petitioner vis-‡-vis the accusation sought to be brought against him and regard being had to the materials placed on record together with the role as alleged against the petitioner in deceiving a group of persons fraudulently by forging documents and their signatures/thumb impression and keeping in view the other circumstances on record in entirety including the implication of the petitioner in another case in Dharmasala PS Case No.442 of 2025 for similar offence, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner at this stage.

Hence, the bail application of the petitioner stands rejected. Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of. A soft copy of this judgment may immediately be transmitted to the Court concerned.