Practice area
Criminal Matters
Bail, trial representation and criminal appeals and revisions.
Since 1 July 2024, criminal law in India is governed by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, which replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act. Matters that began under the earlier laws may still be governed by them, so the applicable law is the first thing to check.
What this area covers
Bail
Bail in bailable and non-bailable offences before the Magistrate, the Sessions Court and the Orissa High Court; anticipatory bail (Section 482 BNSS, formerly Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure); and default bail where an investigation is not completed within the period the law allows.
Trial representation
Representation through the trial, from appearance and framing of charges to evidence, cross-examination and final arguments, before the courts of the Magistrate, the Court of Session and Special Courts such as those under the POCSO and NDPS Acts and Vigilance courts.
Criminal appeals and revisions
Appeals against conviction or sentence, criminal revisions before the Sessions Court or the High Court, and petitions to the High Court under its inherent powers (Section 528 BNSS, formerly Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure).
Rights on arrest
- A person arrested must be told the grounds of arrest and may consult an advocate of their choice (Article 22 of the Constitution).
- An arrested person must be produced before a Magistrate within 24 hours, excluding travel time.
- Persons in custody are entitled to free legal services under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Papers that help at a first meeting
- Copy of the FIR or complaint, and any notice received
- Arrest memo, remand or bail orders, and the charge-sheet if filed
- Any earlier orders in the case
Forums
Depending on the matter, proceedings in this area are typically before:
- Courts of Judicial & Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrates
- District & Sessions Courts
- Special Courts (POCSO, NDPS, Vigilance)
- Orissa High Court, Cuttack: bail, appeals and revisions
General information, not legal advice. Every matter turns on its own facts and documents, and the law and official procedures change. Check the current position with the concerned office, or take advice on your own facts, before acting.
Legal guides
Related questions
How do I get bail in Odisha, and when does the Orissa High Court hear it?
Regular, anticipatory and default bail under the BNSS 2023: which court to approach first, documents, and what courts consider.
An FIR has been registered against me in Odisha. What happens now?
What follows an FIR under the BNSS: investigation, Section 35 notice, rights on arrest, anticipatory bail and quashing in the High Court.
How do I file an FIR in Odisha, and what if the police refuse?
Filing an FIR under Section 173 BNSS: at the thana, Zero FIR, e-FIR, and the SP and Magistrate routes if police refuse.
How does quashing of an FIR work in the Orissa High Court under Section 528 BNSS?
Quashing FIRs and criminal cases under Section 528 BNSS: Bhajan Lal grounds, quashing on compromise, CRLMC filing at Cuttack and limits.
How does a criminal case process work in Odisha, from FIR to judgment?
Stages of a criminal case under the BNSS: investigation, charge sheet, cognizance, charge, evidence, judgment and appeal, with timelines.
How does a cheque bounce case under Section 138 work in Odisha?
Section 138 NI Act: the 30-day notice, 15 days to pay, filing within a month, which court, interim compensation and settlement.
Can I get free legal aid if I cannot afford an advocate?
Who is eligible under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the Odisha income limit, and where to apply.
What can I do about chit fund fraud in Odisha?
Chit fund and deposit scams in Odisha: the OPID Act, BUDS Act and Chit Funds Act, where to complain, and how depositors get money back.
How do I file a criminal appeal or revision in the Orissa High Court or a Sessions Court after a verdict?
Appeals and revisions after conviction or acquittal under the BNSS: which court, time limits, victim appeals and suspension of sentence.
What is the new BNSS section for an old CrPC section? (CrPC to BNSS conversion table)
A verified CrPC to BNSS conversion table: FIR, arrest, 41A notice, bail (437, 438, 439), maintenance (125), quashing (482) and appeals.
More related questions
How do I make a cyber crime complaint in Odisha after online fraud or harassment?
Online fraud and harassment in Odisha: call 1930, report on cybercrime.gov.in, tell your bank, e-Zero FIR, and how to preserve evidence.
How does a defamation case work in Odisha, civil or criminal?
Criminal defamation under BNS Section 356 and civil suits for damages: what counts, the ten exceptions, notices, online posts and time limits.
How do I file a domestic violence complaint in Odisha and get a protection order?
The DV Act in Odisha: Protection Officers, the 181 helpline, protection and residence orders, and how the court process works.
How does a dowry case work in Odisha, and what are the new BNS sections?
Dowry and cruelty law in Odisha: Dowry Prohibition Act, BNS Sections 80, 85 and 86 (old 498A, 304B), complaints and arrest safeguards.
What is the BSA section for an old Evidence Act section? (Evidence Act to BSA table)
A verified Evidence Act to BSA table: 65B is now 63, 27 is the proviso to 23(2), 32 is 26, with burden of proof and witness sections.
What are the remedies if a false FIR is filed against me?
Legal remedies against a false case: notice and bail, representation to police, quashing, discharge, compensation, prosecution and damages.
What is a Gram Nyayalaya in Odisha, and what cases does it hear?
Village courts under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008: the 24 operating in Odisha, the cases they hear, procedure, fees and appeals.
What is the new BNS section for an old IPC section? (IPC to BNS conversion table)
A verified IPC to BNS conversion table for the most-searched offences, such as 302, 307, 420, 498A, 354 and 506, with notes on changes.
What does a Juvenile Justice Board do when a child is accused of an offence?
How a child accused of an offence is dealt with under the JJ Act 2015: the Juvenile Justice Board, bail, inquiry and 16-18 heinous cases.
What do legal terms like plaint, ex parte, cognizance and vakalatnama mean?
Plain meanings of court words: plaint, decree, ex parte, caveat, cognizance, charge sheet, vakalatnama, plus Odia terms and HC case codes.
How do I complain about loan recovery agent harassment?
What RBI rules let recovery agents do and forbid, the changes from 1 January 2027, and complaints to the lender, RBI and police.
How do I file a medical negligence complaint in Odisha?
Medical negligence in Odisha: consumer commission claims, complaints to the medical council, criminal cases and the Jacob Mathew standard.
How do I file a motor accident claim in Odisha, and is there a time limit?
Road accident compensation in Odisha: MACT claims, no-fault and hit-and-run amounts, documents, the six-month limit and cashless treatment.
How does bail work in an NDPS case, and what safeguards apply to search and seizure?
NDPS Act basics: small and commercial quantity, how Section 37 restricts bail, and the search, seizure and sampling rules police follow.
What is the POCSO Act, and how is child sexual abuse reported in Odisha?
The POCSO Act 2012 in plain terms: who it protects, the duty to report, Special Courts, child-friendly procedure and support in Odisha.
How do I get a police clearance certificate in Odisha?
Passport office PCC for going abroad versus Odisha Police character certificate: how to apply, verification, and pending criminal cases.
What is the difference between police custody and judicial custody, and how does remand work under the BNSS?
Police and judicial custody under Section 187 BNSS: the 24-hour rule, 15 days of police custody, 60 or 90 days, and default bail.
What are the rights of an arrested person in India, and how do they apply in Odisha?
Rights on arrest under Article 22, the BNSS and the D.K. Basu guidelines: written grounds, family told, lawyer, medical check, 24 hours.
How does an SC ST Act case work in Odisha, from FIR and relief to bail and appeal?
The SC/ST Atrocities Act in Odisha: offences, Special Courts, relief within seven days, the anticipatory bail bar and appeals.
What are the rights of a sexual offence survivor in Odisha, and how does the victim compensation scheme work?
Reporting a sexual offence in Odisha, One Stop Centres, free medical care, privacy and compensation through the DLSA.
How do I check, pay or contest an e-challan in Odisha?
Checking and paying an e-challan in Odisha, the Cuttack virtual court, contesting a wrong challan, and 2026 licence rules.
How do I make a POSH complaint about workplace sexual harassment in Odisha?
POSH Act complaints in Odisha: Internal Committee, the district Local Committee, the three-month limit, the 90-day inquiry and appeal.
Contact
Contact details
Meetings by prior appointment in Patia, Bhubaneswar.