p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.1059 of 2026 Dharmendra Pradhan …. Petitioner Mr. G. N. Rout, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S. B. Panda, ASC CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 18.02.2026 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 Kanas P.S. Case No.168 of 2022 corresponding to G.R. Case No.556 of 2022 pending in the file of learned J.M.F.C., Kanasa on the grounds stated. 3. Perused the F.I.R. as at Annexure-1. One of the co- accused persons, namely, Pratap Patra is on bail pursuant to the Court’s order in ABLAPL No.856 of 2023 dated 7th February, 2023, a copy of which is at Flag-A, referring to which, parity is demanded by the petitioner. The circumstances leading to the alleged incident have been narrated in the F.I.R. (Annexure-1). The copies of the statements and witnesses examined during investigation under Section 161 Cr.P.C. are at Annexure-2 Series. It is claimed that the petitioner is not the assailant, rather, it was one Prasanta Patra clearly revealed from the p. 2 F.I.R. Since the co-accused is on bail and the petitioner is on similar footing and not the assailant and the other accused has been granted bail vide the ABLAPL at Flag-A, this Court, instead of granting pre-arrest bail, is inclined to direct him to surrender before the learned court below for being released with suitable conditions imposed recording the claim that in the meantime, upon closure of the investigation, the chargesheet is filed. 4. Accordingly, it is ordered. 5. In the result, ABLAPL stands disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. It is further directed that upon surrender before the court of learned J.M.F.C., Kanasa within a fortnight from today, the petitioner shall be released on bail in connection with Kanas P.S. Case No.168 of 2022 corresponding to G.R. Case No.556 of 2022 subject to him furnishing a bail bond of Rs.30,000/- (Rupees thirty thousand) with one solvent surety for the like amount 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. 6. Issue urgent certified copy as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge Sumitra