p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 2602 of 2026 Chittaranjan Das @ Satka …. Petitioner Mr. A.R. Panda, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. A.K. Pati, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 22.04.2026 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 C.T. Case No.1005/2019 pending on the file of learned J.M.F.C.(R), Balasore, arising out of Khantapada P.S. Case No.296 of 2019 for commission of offences punishable under Section 52(a) of The Orissa Excise Act. 2008. 3. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail. 4. Taking into account the nature of allegation, this Court is not inclined to entertain the application for pre-arrest bail. However, it is directed that the Petitioner may surrender before the learned J.M.F.C.(R), Balasore in connection with the aforementioned case within one month from today. p. 2 In the event of his surrender and motion for bail, the same be considered by the learned J.M.F.C.(R), Balasore on merits, in the first hour of the day. In the event of rejection of the prayer for bail by the learned J.M.F.C.(R), Balasore, the Petitioner is at liberty to move the higher forum for bail in the second hour on the same day. 5. On being so moved, the higher forum is requested to make an endeavor to dispose of the bail application of the Petitioner on the same day. The case diary shall be made available to the concerned courts to facilitate disposal of the bail application of the Petitioner and learned J.M.F.C.(R), Balasore is called upon to transmit the case record to the higher forum in the second hour expeditiously in the event of rejection of the bail application by him. Ground of parity, if any, may be considered by the learned court(s) below. The forums below are requested to verify the criminal antecedents of the Petitioner. If it comes to the fore that the Petitioner has more than one criminal antecedent of similar nature, this order shall not be given effect to. 6. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of. 7. U.C.C. as per rules. (V. NARASINGH) Judge Jina