Extracted from the PDF above. The PDF is authoritative.
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No.3251 of 2026 Sian Digal & Anr. ..... Petitioners
Represented by Adv. - Bisworanjan Swain -versus- State of Odisha ..... Opposite Parties
Represented by Adv. - Mr. P.P.Behera, A.S.C.
CORAM:
THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ADITYA KUMAR MOHAPATRA
Order No.
ORDER 02.05.2026
01.
1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual /Physical Mode).
2. Heard learned counsel appearing for the Petitioners and learned Additional Standing Counsel appearing for the State- Opposite Party. Perused the materials placed before this Court.
3. The present bail application under Section 483 of B.N.S.S. has been filed by the Petitioners for regular bail in connection with 2 (a)CC Case No.25 of 2025, arising out of Berhampur PR No.458 of 2025-26, pending in the Court of learned Addl. Sessions-Cum-Spl. Judge, Aska for alleged commission of offence punishable under Sections 20 (b) (ii) (c) of NDPS Act in contravention of Section 8 (C) of NDPS Act.
4.
Learned counsel for the Petitioners submits that earlier this matter was not before any of the bench of this Court. It is
Page 2 of 3. submitted by the learned counsel for the Petitioners that the Petitioners are in custody since 26.10.2025. It is also contended by the learned counsel for the Petitioners that keeping in view the alleged quantity of ganja seized from the Petitioners is 22 kgs, which is less than the commercial quantity, a bar under Section 37 of the N.D.P.S. Act is not attracted. He further submitted that the Petitioners do not have any similar criminal antecedent.
Learned counsel for the Petitioners further submitted that the Petitioners belong to the locality, therefore there is no chance of their absconding. In such view of the matter, learned counsel for the Petitioners submitted that the Petitioners be released on bail on any terms and condition which the Petitioners undertake to abide by while on bail.
5. Learned Additional Standing Counsel appearing for the State-Opposite Party, on the other hand, opposed the release of the Petitioners on bail on the ground that in the event the Petitioners are released on bail, there is a possibility that they might be involved in similar criminal offences. Learned Additional Standing Counsel submitted that considering the nature of allegation and the contraband used in the present case, the release of the Petitioners would be a threat to the society. Therefore, he submitted that the prayer for bail of the Petitioners 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 and further keeping the view the period of detention of the Petitioners in jail custody
Page 3 of 3. and the fact that the Petitioners do not have any similar criminal antecedent, this Court is inclined to release the Petitioners on bail subject to imposition of stringent conditions.
7. Hence, it is directed that the Petitioners be released on bail in the aforesaid case on furnishing bail bond of Rs.40,000/- (Rupees forty thousand) with two local solvent sureties each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the Court in seisin over the matter.
8. It is open for the Court in seisin over the matter to impose any other conditions as may be deemed just and proper.
9. It is further directed that the bail granted to the Petitioners is subject to the condition that the court below shall verify whether the Petitioners are having any criminal antecedent of similar nature. In the event it is found that the Petitioners are having any similar criminal antecedent, this bail order shall automatically stand revoked.
10. The BLAPL is, accordingly, disposed of.
(A.K. Mohapatra)
Judge Rubi