p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.7826 of 2026 Santosh Kumar Pradhan …. Petitioner Mr. A. Tripathy, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S. Panda, ASC CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 20.07.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties. 2. Instant petition has been filed under Section 482 BNSS by the petitioner seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Odagaon P.S. Case No.127 of 2024 corresponding to G.R. Case No.201 of 2024 pending in the file of learned J.M.F.C.-cum- Grama Nayalaya, Odagaon on the grounds stated. 3. Perused the FIR as at Annexure-1. The petitioner had earlier approached this Court in ABLAPL No.5689 of 2024 disposed of on 18th June, 2024. The copy of the said order is at Flag-B. The order in the ABLAPL reveals that the petitioner was allowed to surrender and to go on bail subject to verification of criminal antecedent against him. Mr. Tripathy, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is a President of Farmer’s Union and hence, he has been named in the FIR. The further submission is that nearly 250 to 300 others were there on the day of protest and hence, it has been alleged to be an unlawful assembly with lodging of the FIR by the local p. 2 P.S. Recorded the objection of the State. Mr. Panda, learned ASC informs the Court that the petitioner is having seven other criminal cases in his credit. It is alleged in the FIR that the petitioner was leading the protest, as a result of which, it caused traffic jam with movement of vehicles was hampered and the common people suffered and for the mischief committed, some of the members of the police force received injuries but having regard to the public protest at the instance of large number of people even though there is allegation about the petitioner leading them made to reveal from the FIR and shown as an accused therein, with the objection of the State noted down and the fact that the alleged incident of is of the year, 2024, this Court is inclined to direct him to surrender before the learned court below for being released with such other suitable conditions even though him having criminal antecedents. 4. Accordingly, it is ordered. 5. In the result, the ABLAPL is disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. It is further directed that in the event, the petitioner surrenders before the court of learned J.M.F.C.-cum- Grama Nayalaya, Odagaon in connection with G.R. Case No.201 of 2024 corresponding to Odagaon P.S. Case No.127 of 2024 within a fortnight from today, he shall be released on bail upon furnishing a bail bond of Rs.20,000/-(rupees twenty thousand) with one solvent surety for the like amount with such other conditions imposed by learned court below as deemed just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. p. 3 6. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Balaram Judge Designation: PERSONAL ASSISTANT