Page 1 of 3. IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No.2476 of 2026 Manoj Kumar Pradhan ..... Petitioner Represented by Adv. - Mitu Kumar Biswal -versus- State Of Odisha ..... Opposite Parties Smt. S. Nayak, ASC CORAM: THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ADITYA KUMAR MOHAPATRA ORDER 27.04.2026 Order No. 01. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid mode. 2. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner as well as learned counsel for the State. 3. The present bail application under Section 483 of BNSS has been filed by the Petitioner for regular bail relating to P.R. No.91 of 2025-26, corresponding to 2(a) C.C. Case No.28 of 2025 (NDPS), pending before the learned Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Bhanjanagar, Ganjam, for alleged commission of offence punishable under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) in contravention of Section 8 of NDPS Act, 1985. 4. Learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that earlier this matter was not before any other Bench of this Court. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the Petitioner that the Petitioner is in custody since 09.12.2025. He further contended that the Page 2 of 3. investigation has been completed and the final P.R. has been filed in the meantime. Further, referring to the allegations made in the P.R., learned counsel for the Petitioner submitted that keeping in view the quantity of ganja seized, i.e., 21 kg was recovered from exclusive and conscious possession of the Petitioner. Further, it is contended that the bar under Section 37 of the N.D.P.S. Act is not attracted to the facts of the case of the present Petitioner. He further submitted that the Petitioner does not have any criminal antecedent and the Petitioner belongs to the locality, therefore, there is no chance of his absconding. In such view of the matter, learned counsel for the Petitioner contended that the Petitioner is ready and willing to abide by any terms and conditions as this Court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case. 5. Learned counsel for the State on the other hand opposed the bail application of the Petitioner on the ground of gravity and seriousness. He further contended that taking into consideration the fact that such cases are increasing day-by-day in the State of Odisha, no leniency should be shown to the petitioner. In such view of the matter, he submitted that the bail application of the Petitioner be rejected at this juncture. 6. Having heard the learned counsels appearing for the respective parties and on a careful examination of the surrounding facts and circumstances of the present case, further keeping in view the period of detention of the Petitioner in jail custody, and the fact that the Petitioner belongs to the locality and that he does not have any similar criminal antecedent, and the fact that the bar under Section 37 of N.D.P.S. Act would not be attracted to the facts of the Page 3 of 3. Petitioner’s case, this Court is inclined to release the Petitioner on bail subject to the Petitioner furnishing bail bond of Rs.35,000/- (Rupees Thirty Five Thousand) with two solvent sureties each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned court in seisin over the matter. The release of the Petitioner shall also be subject to such other terms and conditions as is deemed just and proper by the court in seisin over the matter. Violation of any of the terms and conditions shall entail cancellation of bail. 7. It is further directed that the bail granted to the Petitioner be subject to the condition that the court below shall verify the criminal antecedent of the Petitioner. In the event the Petitioner is having any similar criminal antecedent, then this bail order shall automatically stand revoked. 8. Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of. Issue urgent certified copy as per Rules. ( Aditya Kumar Mohapatra ) Judge S.K. Rout