Orissa High Court
ABLAPL/9664/2026 of ASHOK KUMAR MAHANTHY Vs STATE OF ODISHA on 21 August 2026
of 2 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 9664 of 2026 CNR No.ODHC010610752026 Ashok Kumar Mahanthy …. Petitioner Mr. S. Dwibedi, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. A . K. Pati, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH Order No. ORDER 21.08.2026 01. 1. Heard
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK
ABLAPL No. 9664 of 2026
CNR No.ODHC010610752026
Ashok Kumar
Mahanthy
….
Petitioner
Mr. S. Dwibedi, Advocate
-versus-
State of Odisha
….
Opposite Party
Mr. A. K. Pati, ASC
CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH
Order No.
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ORDER
21.08.2026
01.
1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and learned counsel for the State.
2. The Petitioner is seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with G.R. Case No.483 of 2026 pending on the file of learned J.M.F.C., Hinjilicut, Ganjam arising out of Bellagaon P.S. Case No.96 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 288 of BNS read with Section 5(a) of the Explosive Substance Act, 1908.
3. The allegation against the Petitioner in essence is that of keeping explosive substance illegally at Sahapur Stone Quarry at Nanda Hill and using them for blasting.
4. It is submitted by the learned counsel that the Petitioner is the first offender and the allegation as such does not warrant custodial interrogation.
5. It is further submitted by the learned counsel that the co-accused, similarly circumstanced, has been enlarged on bail, by order dated 27.07.2026 in ABLAPL
No.8364 of 2026 and since the Petitioner is at all fours with the said co-accused, he may be enlarged on pre- arrest bail.
6. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail, since the investigation is at a nascent stage.
7. Taking into account the nature of allegation and the submissions made, this Court directs that on surrendering within three weeks hence and moving for bail, the Petitioner shall be released on bail by the learned Court in seisin on such terms as deemed just and proper subject to verification of criminal antecedent of similar nature.
8. If it comes to the fore that the Petitioner has any such criminal antecedent, this order shall not be given effect to.
9. It is needless to state that the Petitioner shall cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
10. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of.
11. U.C.C. as per rules.
(V. NARASINGH)
Judge
Jina
Digitally Signed Signed by: JINA DIGAL Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 21-Aug-2026 18:53:21 Signature Not Verified