IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.4225 of 2026 Smruti Ranjan Mohanty …. Petitioner(s) Mr. Susil Kumar Pattnaik, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party(s) Ms. Suvalaxmi Devi, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE SIBO SANKAR MISHRA Order No. ORDER 01.05.2026 01. 1. Heard. 2. The petitioner is seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Joda P.S. Case No.38 of 2026 corresponding to G.R. Case No.154 of 2026 registered for alleged commission of offences punishable under Sections 303(2)/61(2)/3(5) of the BNS, 2023 and Section 21 of the MMDR Act, pending in the Court of the learned J.M.F.C., Barbil. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner, on instruction from the petitioner, submits that except the present bail application, no other bail application of the petitioner is pending in any other Court relating to the aforesaid F.I.R. 4. The allegation against the petitioner is that on 10.02.2026 at about 10.30 P.M., the complainant lodged written report alleging that on the same day, as per the direction vide G.E. Entry No.16, he along with A.S.I. A.P. Mundu, were performing evening patrolling duty in Khuntpani area. During patrolling, they received information from the reliable source regarding illegal mining and theft of iron ore and transportation of the stolen mineral from the hillside near Khuntpani village by using a 140 wheeler Hywa truck. On receipt of such information, they immediately rushed to the spot. On seeing the police party, the accused persons fled away taking advantage of the darkness. On search, they found one 14-wheeler Hywa truck loaded with approximately 10 tons of iron Ore. Hence, the case. 5. Learned counsel for the State submits that as per the C.D., there is no criminal antecedent against the petitioner, even learned counsel for the petitioner has also submitted in the same line. 6. Regard being had to the nature of allegation against the petitioner, I am inclined to grant the petitioner anticipatory bail. Accordingly, it is directed that in the event the petitioner is arrested, he shall be released by the Arresting Officer subject to the verification of the criminal antecedent of similar nature, he shall cooperate with the investigation and shall appear before the I.O. as and when his presence is required for the purpose of investigation; he shall not indulge in similar criminal offences while on bail; he shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date of posting of the case, if not presented by sufficient cause. Violation of any of the conditions shall entail cancellation of bail. 7. The ABLAPL is accordingly disposed of. (S.S. Mishra) Judge Subhasis Designation: Personal Assistant Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack.