IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 8123 of 2026 1. Prasant Srichandan 2. Ashish Kumar Mangaraj …. Petitioners Mr. J. Sahoo, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. S. Panda, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 23.07.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioners and learned counsel for the State. 2. The Petitioners are seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with G.R. Case No.532 of 2026 pending on the file of learned S.D.J.M., Khurda, arising out of Industrial Estate P.S. Case No.111 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 303(2) / 305(e) / 3(5) of BNS, 2023, r/w Section 51 of Odisha Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016. 3. This is the second journey of the Petitioners to this Court. Vide order dated 12.06.2026 in ABLAPL No.6143 of 2026, the present Petitioners were directed to be released on bail subject to verification of antecedent. 4. It is submitted by the learned counsel that inadvertently it could not be brought to the notice of this Court that the Petitioners have criminal antecedents of similar nature. 5. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail. 6. 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 Petitioners shall be released on bail by the learned Court in seisin on such terms as deemed just and proper subject to verification of not more than two criminal antecedents of any nature. 7. If it comes to the fore that the Petitioners have more than two criminal antecedents of any nature, this order shall not be given effect to. 8. It is needless to state that the Petitioners shall cooperate with the ongoing investigation. 9. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Jina