p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 3438 of 2026 Ranjan Swain and others …. Petitioners Mr. S. K. Dash, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S. Panda, ASC CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 30.04.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties. 2. Instant petition under Section 482 BNSS is filed seeking pre-arrest bail of the petitioners in connection with G.R. Case No.53 of 2026 pending in the file of learned J.M.F.C, Muniguda, Rayagada arising out of Ambadola P.S. Case No.25 of 2026 on the grounds stated. 3. Perused the FIR as at Annexure-1. It is submitted that the petitioners are Journalists by profession and the allegations in the FIR are utterly false and therefore, all are entitled to go on bail with any conditions. Mr. Panda, learned ASC for the State produced the case dairy and statements of the witnesses recorded under Section 180 BNSS including that of the informant. On a reading of the version of the informant, it is made to understand that the wife of petitioner No.5 is a school teacher and due to absence from duty, her salary was stopped by him and as a result, he is being harassed. As to the FIR i.e. p. 2 Annexure-1, the Court finds that there is no specific demand of money from the informant. Since one of the petitioners’ wife is a school teacher and there has been stoppage of the salary at the instance of the informant and thereafter, the harassment alleged, it is suspected that the petitioners are responsible and hence, they apprehend arrest, recording the objection of the State, this Court is of the view that all of them should be directed to surrender before the learned court below for being released with conditions. In the other words, the Court considering the nature of allegations in the FIR and the fact that the petitioners as Journalists, it is a fit case where they should be allowed to go on bail with conditions and accordingly, it is ordered. 4. In the result, the ABLAPL is disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. In the event, the petitioners surrender before the court of learned J.M.F.C, Muniguda, Rayagada within fortnight from today, it is directed that they shall be released on bail in connection with G.R. Case No.53 of 2026 corresponding to Ambadola P.S. Case No.25 of 2026 on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.25,000/-(rupees twenty five thousand) each with one solvent surety for the like amount each with such other conditions imposed as deemed just and proper and in the facts and circumstances of the case. 5. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge Rojina Designation: Junior Stenographer