IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.499 of 2026 Sudhendu Chandra Mahapatra @ Sudhendu Mahapatra …. Petitioner Mr. Jyoti Patnaik, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S. B. Panda, ASC And ABLAPL No.1075 of 2026 Biswaranjan Pattanaik @ Muna …. Petitioner Mr. Lambodor Achari, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S. B. Panda, ASC CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 25.02.2026 02. 1. Both the ABLAPLs are taken up for orders. 2. The ABLAPLs under Section 482 BNSS are filed for pre-arrest bail of the petitioners in connection with Baidyanathpur P.S. Case No.636 of 2025 corresponding to G.R. Case No.3498 of 2025 pending in the file of learned S.D.J.M., Berhampur on the grounds stated therein. Page 2 of 3 3. Perused the F.I.R. as at Annexure-1. The case under Section 318(4) BNSS has been registered. Mr. Pattnaik, learned counsel for one of the petitioners submits that there is no specific claim regarding the receipt of any such amount collected by the present accused. Mr. Mohapatra, learned counsel for the other accused submits that the alleged incident has been reported with delay. Learned counsel for the State produced the Case Diary and all the relevant papers for the Court’s perusal including statement of a witness recorded under Section 183 BNSS. The investigation has revealed large scale collection by the petitioners with one Smruti Prabha Mahakur. The collection runs into crores as further revealed from the record. The Court finds that huge amount of money has been collected from unemployed youth to provide job and in that connection according to Mr. Panda, learned ASC fake letters of appointment were issued to some. 4. Considering the nature of allegation as made to reveal from the record, this Court is not inclined to consider the plea of pre-arrest bail, however, grants the liberty to the petitioners to surrender before the learned court below seeking regular bail for consideration. 5. Accordingly, it is ordered. 6. In the result, both the ABLAPLs stand disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. It is further directed that upon surrender before the court of learned S.D.J.M., Berhampur within a fortnight from today, the petitioners shall be released on bail in connection with Baidyanathpur P.S. Case No.636 of 2025 corresponding to G.R. Case No.3498 of 2025 subject to them furnishing bail bonds of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees twenty thousand) each with one solvent surety for the like amount each 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. 7. Issue urgent certified copy as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge Sumitra