IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No.2089 of 2026 Pradip Tandi …. Petitioner Mr. B. Karna, Advocate -Versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mrs. S. Mohanty, ASC CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 21.04.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and State. 2. Instant petition has been filed under Section 482 BNSS by the petitioner seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Belpada P.S. Case No.383 of 2025 corresponding to G.R. Case No.1655 of 2025 pending in the file of learned S.D.J.M., Patnagarh on the grounds stated. 3. Perused the FIR as at Annexure-1. It is submitted to the Court that the petitioner has been falsely roped in. It is claimed that the petitioner was not involved in sending the labourers to Vijayanagaram in the State of Andhra Pradesh to work in a bricks kiln. It is submitted that the petitioner is alleged to be a Labour Sardar, hence, for the allegations in the FIR, he apprehends arrest in the hands of the local police. Recorded the objection of the learned counsel for the State. A copy of the order of the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Patnagarh in BA No.233 of 2025 in respect of the petitioner is produced to submit that he has one more criminal case. The allegation is that the petitioner did not have the labour license to send the group of men, women for labour work in the State of Andhra Pradesh. It is claimed that the labourers on their own decided to travel to Vijayanagaram but intercepted by the local police. Considering the above facts and submissions of learned counsel for the respective parties and since in the other case, the petitioner is granted bail and does not have any other case apart from the present one recording such claim and objection of the State, this Court, though not in favour granting him pre-arrest bail but is inclined to direct him to surrender before the 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. It is further directed that in the event, the petitioner surrenders before the court of learned S.D.J.M., Patnagarh in connection with Belpada P.S. Case No.383 of 2025 corresponding to G.R. Case No.1655 of 2025 within fifteen days from today, he shall be released on bail upon furnishing a bail bond of Rs.40,000/-(rupees forty thousand) with one solvent surety for the like amount with such other conditions imposed besides the following, such as, he shall furnish an undertaking at the local PS not to involve himself in any similar criminal activities while on bail and to co-operate the IO in the investigation as and when summoned. The above order shall not be given effect to if the petitioner is having more than two criminal cases to his credit. 6. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge TUDU Designation: Sr. Stenographer