p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No.3607 of 2026 1. Srikant Jena @ Kalia 2. Ritesh Pradhan @ Rakesh Pradhan @ Bapuni …. Petitioners Mr. Milan Kanungo, Senior Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opp. Party Ms. Suvalaxmi Devi, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE SIBO SANKAR MISHRA Order No. ORDER 14.05.2026 02. 1. The petitioners are accused in connection with Maniabandha P.S. Case No.41 of 2026 corresponding to G.R. Case No.151 of 2026 registered for the alleged commission of the offences punishable under Sections 126(2)/296/115(2)/351(2)/3(5) of the BNS, 2023 r/w Section 25/27 of the Arms Act, 1959, pending in the Court of the learned J.M.F.C., Baramba. The petitioners had approached the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Athagarh in BLAPL No.79 of 2026 praying for grant of bail. The learned Court below vide its order dated 08.04.2026 rejected the bail application of the petitioners. Being p. 2 aggrieved, the petitioners have filed the present petition under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 praying for enlargement on bail. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioners, on instruction from the petitioners, submits that except the present bail application, no other bail application of the petitioners is pending in any other Court relating to the aforesaid F.I.R. 3. The prosecution case as per F.I.R. is that on 18.03.2026 at about 5.20 P.M., the complainant lodged a written report at the P.S. alleging therein that on 16.03.2026 at about 7.00 P.M., near Dhobaninal Foreign Liquor Off shop, one Srikant jena along with his associates picked up a quarrel and attempted to kill his son Anil Jena, due to which his son fled away towards Badabarsingh to save his life. Further, on the same night at about 11.30 P.M., Srikant Jena along with some unknown persons came to his house being armed with deadly weapons like, gun, knife & lathi and knocked at his door. When the complainant asked them about abusing his son, Srikant Jena abused him in filthy language, assaulted him by slapping on his cheek and pointing the gun at his head, threatened to kill his son. Page 3 of 5 Hence, the case. 4. Mr. Milan Kanungo, learned Senior Advocate appearing for the petitioners, by drawing my attention to paragraph-5 of the petition submits that although the petitioners have 15 criminal antecedents, but in almost all the cases, they are on bail. He further submits that almost all the cases are arising out of political disagreement with the opposite party. Since the wife of petitioner no.1 is the Sarpanch, there is a political rivalry between the informant and the petitioners. Therefore, the present case has been falsely foisted against the petitioners out of political vengeance. The petitioners have been in custody since 20.03.2026. 5. Regard being had to the nature of allegation against the petitioners and the period of their custody since 20.03.2026, I am inclined to enlarge the petitioners on bail, subject to the condition that the petitioners shall file comprehensive affidavit before the trial Court disclosing the antecedent and the status of the cases against them and the learned trial Court shall verify the authenticity of the said comprehensive affidavit and release the petitioners on bail. Page 4 of 5 6. Hence, the petitioners are directed to be released on bail by the learned Court in seisin over the matter in the aforesaid case on such terms and conditions as it would deem just and proper, subject to the following additional conditions: (i) They shall appear before the IIC of the concerned Police Station on every 2nd Sunday from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. at least for a period of six months. (ii) They shall not leave the jurisdiction of the trial Court till the disposal of the trial; (iii) They shall appear before the trial Court on each date on which the case is posted for trial without fail; (iv) They shall not tamper with the evidence in any manner whatsoever; (v) They shall not commit any offence while on bail, and (vi) They shall be released on bail subject to verification of similar type of antecedents. In the event of Violation of any of the bail conditions imposed by this Court or the trial Court even on a single occasion, the prosecution is at liberty to move appropriate application before the Court below for cancellation of the concession of bail granted by this Court. If such application is filed, the trial Court should decide the application on its own merit. Page 5 of 5 Subhasis 7. The BLAPL is accordingly disposed of. (S.S. Mishra) Judge Designation: Personal Assistant Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack. Date: 14-May-2026 18:48:57