IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.7400 of 2026 Pralap Mohapatra …. Petitioner Mr. A.R.Panda, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Ms. B.Sahu, AGA CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 07.07.2026 02. 1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and State. 2. Instant petition has been filed under Section 482 BNSS by the petitioner seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Jaleswar P.S. Case No.323 of 2026 corresponding to C.T. Case No.389 of 2026 pending in the file of learned J.M.F.C., Jaleswar on the grounds stated. 3. Perused the FIR as at Annexure-1. One of the accused persons, namely, Sk.Sajan is on bail pursuant to the Court’s order in ABLAPL No. 6816 of 2026. A copy of the said order is at Flag-B. Mr. Panda, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the present accused has not been named in the F.I.R. but apprehends arrest in the hands of the police for the reason stated as his vehicle was found parked near the godown wherefrom the recovery of liquor has taken place. With such submission, release of the petitioner is prayed for. Recorded the objection of the State. According to Ms. Sahu, learned AGA, there has been large quantity of liquor recovered and seized from the godown. It is informed to the Court that the godown does not belong to the petitioner nor his involvement in the illicit business of liquor. Admittedly, the name of the petitioner is not mentioned in the F.I.R. Rather, the names of the other accused, who is on bail and three others are mentioned therein. The said three others are claimed to be the relations or family members of the accused, namely, Sk. Sajan. It is informed to the Court that the petitioner has one more similar antecedent. Considering the submissions as above, absence of the name of the petitioner in the F.I.R. and that the others who managed to flee from the spot are stated to be the brothers of the other accused named above, this Court, notwithstanding recovery of liquor from the alleged godown, is inclined to direct him to surrender before the learned court below for being released with conditions and only upon verification as to having not more than one antecedent against him. 4. Accordingly, it is ordered. 5. In the result, the ABLAPL is disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. It is directed that in the event, the petitioner surrenders before the court of learned J.M.F.C., Jaleswar within a fortnight from today in connection with C.T. Case No.389 of 2026 corresponding to Jaleswar P.S. Case No.323 of 2026, he shall be released on bail upon furnishing a bail bond of Rs.50,000/-(rupees fifty thousand) with one solvent surety for the like amount with such other conditions imposed as deemed just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. It is further directed that the petitioner shall attend the P.S. and report the I.O. once in a fortnight preferably on a Sunday between 10.00 AM to 1.00. PM for the purpose of investigation and to continue do so till its completion in view of the fact that there has been good quantity of liquor seized from the godown in question. 6. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge kabita