Extracted from the PDF above. The PDF is authoritative.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK
BLAPL No. 2934 of 2026
Sk. Kefajuddin …. Petitioner
Mr. A.R. Panda, Advocate
-versus-
State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. A.K. Pati, ASC
CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH
Order No.
ORDER 01.05.2026
01.
1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and
learned counsel for the State.
2. The Petitioner is accused in connection with Special Case No.16 of 2025 pending on the file of learned Addl. Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Jaleswar, arising out of Balasore Satellite Unit Jaleswar Excise P.R. Case No.108 of 2025-26 for commission of offence alleged under Sections 21(b) of the NDPS Act.
3.
Learned counsel, on instruction, submits that except the present BLAPL, no other bail application of the Petitioner relating to the aforementioned P.S. case is pending in any other Court.
4. Being aggrieved by the rejection of their application for bail U/s.483 of the BNSS by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Jaleswar by
order dated 13.03.2026 in the aforementioned case, the present BLAPL has been filed.
5. The allegation against the Petitioner is of possessing contraband (brown sugar) to the tune of 112 grams.
6. It is submitted by the learned counsel that the Petitioner is in custody since 20.08.2025 and as trial has begun, he may be released on bail.
7.
Learned counsel for the State opposes such prayer for bail.
8. It is apt to note that this is the second journey of the Petitioner to this Court. Petitioner had moved this Court in BLAPL No.11109 of 2025 and by order dated 09.03.2026, this Court was granted liberty to the Petitioner to renew his prayer before the trial Court afresh and such prayer having been negatived, the present bail application has been preferred.
9. Taking into account the age of the Petitioner (65 years) and quantity of contraband, this Court directs the Petitioner to be released on bail on such terms to be fixed by the learned Court in seisin so as to ensure his presence during trial.
10. Before releasing, learned Court in seisin is requested to verify the criminal antecedent of the Petitioner of similar nature. If it comes to the fore that the Petitioner has any such criminal antecedent, this order shall not be given effect to.
11. Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of.
12. UCC as per rules.
(V. NARASINGH)
Judge Santoshi