IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 1862 of 2026 Bijuli Nayak @ Kalu Nayak & Others …. Petitioners Mr. S.K.Bhanjadeo, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. M.K.Mohanty, ASC CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 30.03.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties. 2. Instant petition under Section 482 BNSS is filed seeking pre-arrest bail of the petitioners in connection with Khurda P.S. Case No.550 of 2025 pending in the file of learned S.D.J.M., Khurda corresponding to G.R. Case No.1228 of 2025 on the grounds stated. 3. Perused the FI.R. It is submitted by Mr. Bhanjadeo, learned counsel for the petitioners that the present accused persons are not anti-socials and having no past criminal record and allegedly got themselves involved in the incident with others and said to have wrongly restrained, abused and assaulted the employees of TPCODL at a time when there was Meter reading and revenue collection was in progress and under such circumstances, they should be allowed to go on bail with any conditions. Recorded the objection of the learned counsel for the State. It is informed to the Court that one of the villagers connected with the case was arrested and he is on bail. The F.I.R. reveals that the other accused persons named including the petitioners and fifteen to twenty others of village committed the mischief. It is revealed further that one of the employees named in the F.I.R. received injury as a result of the overt acts committed by the villagers but Mr. Bhanjadeo, learned counsel submits that the injury is not grievous and though he said to have received bleeding injury. Considering the submission as above and objection to the State and though it has been alleged in the F.I.R. that the assault was carried out by means of iron rods, stone, lathis and pelting of stones, recording the claim that no serious injury has been caused by them, this Court is not in favour of granting pre-arrest bail to the petitioners but is of the view that they should surrender before the learned court below for being released with stringent conditions. 4. Accordingly, it is ordered. 5. In the result, the ABLAPL is disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. In the event, the petitioners surrender before the court of learned S.D.J.M., Khurda within a fortnight from today, it is directed that they shall be released on bail in connection with G.R. Case No.1228 of 2025 corresponding to Khurda P.S. Case No.550 of 2025 on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.25,000/-(rupees twenty five thousand) each with one solvent surety for the like amount each with such other conditions besides the following they shall not involve themselves in similar criminal activities in future and attend the P.S. once in ten days’ time for the purpose of investigation and to continue to do so till its completion. The above order shall not be effect to, as further directed, if in case upon with an enquiry by the learned court below, it is revealed that the employee named in the F.I.R. received any serious injury. 6. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge kabita