p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.2428 of 2026 Santosh Kumar Kunda …. Petitioner M/s. K.K. Rout, Advocate & associates -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. M.K. Mohanty, ASC CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 22.04.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties. 2. Instant petition has been filed under Section 482 BNSS by the petitioner seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Balipatna P.S. Case No.0154 of 2025 corresponding to G.R. Case No.568 of 2025 pending in the court of learned J.M.F.C.(O), Bhubaneswar on the grounds stated. 3. Perused the FIR as at Annexure-1. Referring to Annexure-2, a copy of the information collected by the petitioner, it is submitted that the informant is having no authority to take up the construction work. Furthermore, it is submitted that the allegation of extortion is utterly false. The claim is that the petitioner armed with a sword demanded money from the informant on the date of alleged incident. But from the FIR, it is not revealed as to what was the amount demanded by the petitioner. In other words, no amount of extortion is revealed from the report lodged by the informant. Learned counsel for the petitioner is having no instruction p. 2 regarding the antecedent of the petitioner. Considering the above facts and submission of learned counsel for the petitioner and reply of the State, since, the Court, finds no amount is mentioned in the FIR as to the extortion by the petitioner as alleged by the informant, is inclined to direct him to surrender before the learned court below for being released with conditions subject to absence of any other similar antecedent though a case of pre-arrest bail is not made out. 4. Accordingly, it is ordered. 5. In the result, the ABLAPL petition stands disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to surrender before learned J.M.F.C.(O), Bhubaneswar within a fortnight from today and in the event, he surrenders in compliance thereof, shall be released on bail in connection with G.R. Case No.568 of 2025 on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.30,000/- (rupees thirty thousand) with one solvent surety for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned court below, which shall be at liberty to impose such other suitable conditions as deemed just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. As is further directed, such release shall be subject to verification of criminal antecedent of the petitioner and absence of it. 6. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge Balaram Designation: PERSONAL ASSISTANT