p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.8012 of 2026 Lingaraj Pradhan …. Petitioner Mr. D. Dash, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. C. R. Swain, AGA CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 22.07.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and learned counsel for the State. 2. The Petitioner is seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with P.R. Case No.27 of 2026-27 pending on the file of learned JMFC, Bhapur, arising out of 2(a) CC Case No.06 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 52(a)(i) of Odisha Excise Act-2008. 3. The allegation against the present Petitioner is that of illegal carrying of 15 liters of ID Liquor in a vehicle and it is also stated that he is the first offender. p. 2 4. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail. 5. Taking into account the nature of allegations and the punishment prescribed, this Court directs that on surrendering within three weeks hence and moving for bail, the Petitioner shall be released on bail by the learned Court in seisin on such terms as deemed just and proper subject to verification of criminal antecedent of similar nature. 6. If it comes to the fore that the Petitioner has any such criminal antecedent, this order shall not be given effect to. 7. It is needless to state that the Petitioner shall cooperate with the ongoing investigation. 8. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Jina