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Judgment
G. Satapathy, J.
These are bail applications U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioners for grant of bail in connection with Katarabaga PS Case No.20 of 2026 corresponding to GR Case No.386 of 2026 pending in the Court of learned SDJM, Sambalpur for commission of offence punishable U/Ss.317(2)/ 318(4)/ 61(2)/ 3(5) of BNS r/w Sec.66(C)/ 66(D) of IT Act.
The allegation against the petitioners arises out of an FIR registered vide Katarabaga PS case no.20 of 2026 lodged by SI of police that during enquiry, one current account bearing A/c No.409001981811 of RBL Bank (Ratnakar Bank Ltd.) Sambalpur standing in the name of petitioner-Saroj Kumar Pradhan @ Saroj Padhan @ Sanoj Padhan was found flagged in NCRP/14C platforms as a beneficiary account in multiple cyber fraud cases across different jurisdiction and the said account was being found used for receiving proceeds of crime arising out of offence of cheating, impersonation, fraud investment and digital arrest scam, but on being zeroed, the petitioner Saroj Kumar Pradhan @ Saroj Padhan @ Sanoj Padhan could not give any satisfactory explanation regarding the suspicious transaction in his account and he was accordingly arrested with registration of an FIR as indicated above. In the course of investigation, it was found that the said account was credited with Rs.4,36,70,804/- with withdrawal of an amount of Rs.4,33,31,004/- and thereafter, the investigation reveals the involvement of the other petitioner Prafulla Karna @ Prafulla Loha @ Luha was apprehended on 24.05.2026. Accordingly, preliminary charge-sheet was submitted against them.
Heard Mr. Bijaya Kumar Ragada, learned counsel for the petitioner in BLAPL No.3257 of 2026; Mr. Niranjan Panda, learned counsel for the petitioner in BLAPL No.6770 of 2026 and Mr. M.R. Patra, learned Addl. PP in these two matters and perused the record.
After having considered the rival submission upon perusal of record, not only there appears allegation against the petitioners for facilitating financial fraud through the A/c No.409001981811 standing in the name of the present petitioner Saroj Kumar Pradhan @ Saroj Padhan @ Sanoj Padhan, but also credit of sum of Rs.4,36,70,804/- to the aforesaid account with withdrawal of Rs.4,33,31,004/-. The aforesaid suspicious transaction is alleged to be proceeds of the crime and the petitioner-Prafulla Karna @ Prafulla Loha @ Luha was alleged for operating this account in the name of Saroj Kumar Pradhan @ Saroj Padhan @ Sanoj Padhan, however, the petitioners have approached the concerned sessions Court prior to submission of charge-sheet, but in the meantime preliminary charge-sheet has already been submitted.
In the aforesaid facts and circumstances and taking into account the nature and gravity of the offences as alleged against the petitioners vis-‡-vis the alleged suspicious transaction of huge amount in the account of the petitioner Saroj Kumar Pradhan @ Saroj Padhan @ Sanoj Padhan together with the role as alleged against both the petitioners, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioners at this stage.
Hence, these two bail applications of the petitioners namely Saroj Kumar Pradhan @ Saroj Padhan @ Sanoj Padhan (BLAPL No.3257 of 2026) and Prafulla Karna @ Prafulla Loha @ Luha (BLAPL No.6770 of 2026) stand rejected. Accordingly, these BLAPLs stand disposed of. Pending IA No.577 of 2026 arising out of BLAPL No.6770 of 2026 stands disposed of. It is open to the petitioners to renew their prayer for bail afresh under the changed circumstances of submission of charge-sheet.
Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules. A soft copy of this judgment be immediately communicated to the concerned Court.