p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.1766 of 2026 Rashmi Ranjan Panda & another …. Petitioners Mr. C. Bidyabhushan, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S.K. Brahma, ASC Mr. B.K. Behera, Advocate for informant And ABLAPL No.1786 of 2026 Jyotiranjan Panda …. Petitioner Mr. C. Bidyabhushan, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S.K. Brahma, ASC Mr. B.K. Behera, Advocate for informant CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 04.05.2026 03. 1. Both the ABLAPLs are taken up together and disposed of by the following common order. 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and State. 3. Instant petitions have been filed under Section 482 BNSS by the petitioners seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Agarpada P.S. Case No.23 of 2026 corresponding to G.R. p. 2 Case No.334 of 2026 pending in the file of learned S.D.J.M., Bhadrak on the grounds stated. 4. Recorded the submission of learned counsel for the respective parties. Gone through the FIR as at Annexure-1. It is informed to the Court by Mr. Bidyabhushan, learned counsel for the petitioners that the allegations against the present accused persons to be omnibus as made to reveal from the FIR though it is about a demand of Rs.1 lac from the family of the deceased. Furthermore, it is submitted that the mother-in-law of the deceased was arrested and she is still in custody. In course of hearing, the statements of other witnesses examined are also produced by Mr. Bidyabhushan, learned counsel for the petitioners. The death of the deceased is on account of suicidal hanging. A copy of the PM report of the deceased is also made available for the Court’s perusal. Referring to the statement of witness, namely, Santosh Kumar Panda recorded under Section 180 BNSS, it is submitted that the deceased had called him over phone shortly before her death and therefore, considering the same, a case under Section 304-B IPC is not mad out. The submission is that soon before the death of the deceased, she was found not to have been subjected to ill-treatment and hence, the petitioners cannot be held responsible for her death and therefore, they should be allowed to go on bail with conditions. 5. Recorded the objection of the State. Mr. Behera, learned counsel for the informant on the other hand submits that the allegation is revealed from the FIR and it is against the p. 3 in-laws of the deceased including the petitioners. The witness, namely, Santosh Kumar Panda is claimed to be the elder father of the deceased and a mediator of her marriage with the accused husband and according to him as made to reveal from his statement under Section 180 BNSS the mother-in-law and husband of the deceased ill-treated the deceased. Nothing has been whispered against the father-in-law and brother-in-law so to say by the said witness and the death is admittedly within seven years of marriage of the deceased. Considering the materials submitted to the Court, recording submissions of learned counsel for the respective parties, the Court is of the view that the accused husband is similarly situated like the co- accused mother-in-law, hence, he deserves a similar ill- treatment, whereas, the other two, namely, Rashmi Ranjan Panda and Sudarshan Panda, who are the brother-in-law and father-in-law should instead be directed to surrender before the learned court below for being released with suitable conditions even though their pre-arrest bail plea is not entertained. 6. Accordingly, it is ordered. 7. In the result, the ABLAPLs are disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. Consequently, the petitioners in ABLAPL No.1766 of 2026 are directed to surrender before the court of learned S.D.J.M., Bhadrak in connection with Agarpada P.S. Case No.23 of 2026 corresponding to G.R. Case No.334 of 2026 within a fortnight from today to go on bail with conditions. As regards the bail plea of the petitioner in ABLAPL No.1786 of 2026, it is hereby rejected for the reason stated above. It is further directed that the accused persons p. 4 directed to be released on bail shall furnish upon their surrender before the court concerned within the above stipulated period a bail bond of Rs.30,000/-(rupees thirty thousand) each with one solvent surety for the like amount each with such other conditions imposed including a condition for them to co- operate the enquiry till the framing of the charge. 8. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge TUDU Designation: Sr. Stenographer