p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK Ajit Nayak (In BLAPL No. 1349 of 2026) Suresh @ Soumyaranjan Jena (In BLAPL No. 1350 of 2026) … Petitioners Mr. R.R. Ray, Advocate (In both the BLAPLs) -versus- State of Odisha … Opposite Party Mr. C. Mohanty, Addl. PP CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY Order No. ORDER(ORAL) 19.03.2026 01. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual/Physical Mode). 2. Since these two bail applications arise out of one and same case record, the same are heard together and disposed of by this common order with the consent of the learned counsel for the parties. 3. These are bail applications U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioners for grant of bail in connection with Sarankul P.S. Case No.229 of 2025 corresponding to Special G.R. Case No.25 of 2025 pending in the file of learned Special Judge, Odagaon, for commission of offences punishable U/S. 20(b)(ii)(C)/29 of NDPS Act, on the main allegation of transporting 20Kgs 530Grams of Contraband Ganja in a truck bearing Regd. No.OD-23G-0615. 4. Heard, Mr. Rohit Ranjan Ray, learned counsel for the petitioners appearing virtually and Mr. C. Mohanty, learned Addl. PP in these matters and perused the record. On being queried about the p. 2 criminal antecedents of the petitioners, Mr. Ray volunteers to withhold bail to the petitioners, if they are found to have any criminal antecedent of similar nature for commission of offence under NDPS Act. 5. Admittedly, the petitioners were taken into custody on 17.10.2025, but in the meantime, charge sheet has already been submitted, however, the trial is yet to commence and there are numbers of charge sheeted witnesses and, therefore, the trial would take some more time. Further, it is claimed that the petitioners are not having any criminal antecedent of similar nature. In such view of the matter, especially when no criminal antecedent of similar nature has been reported against the petitioners and the Contraband Ganja allegedly seized from the possession of the petitioners being just above the commercial quantity and there being possibility of human error in weighing, the petitioners would be considered to have satisfied the conditions of Section 37 of NDPS Act, if they are not having any criminal antecedent of similar nature. 6. For the reasons stated hereinabove and taking into account the custodial period of the petitioners, this Court without expressing any view on merit admits each of the petitioners to bail, but subject to verification of their criminal antecedents for similar nature. 7. Hence, these two bail applications of the petitioners namely Ajit Nayak (BLAPL No. 1349 of 2026) and Suresh @ Soumyaranjan Jena (BLAPL No. p. 3 1350 of 2026) stand allowed and the petitioners are allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh) each with two solvent sureties for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin of the case on such terms and conditions as deem fit and proper by it. In view of the specific submission advanced for the petitioners, the benefit of the aforesaid order shall not be extended to the concerned petitioner(s), if he/they is/are found to have criminal antecedent(s) of similar nature for commission of offence under NDPS Act. 8. Accordingly, these BLAPLs stand disposed of. Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules. A soft copy of this order be immediately communicated to the concerned Court, who shall afterwards communicate the same to the concerned Jail through e- mail for reference. (G. Satapathy) Judge S.Sasmal Designation: Jr. Stenographer