ABLAPL/7579/2026 of BARAJU PRADHAN Vs STATE OF ODISHA on 17 August 2026

ORDER

17.08.2026

01.

1. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioners and learned counsel for the State.

2. The Petitioners are seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with G.R. Case No.503 of 2026 pending on the file of learned N.G.N.-cum-J.M.F.C., Puri, arising out of Chandanpur P.S. Case No.149 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Sections 127(2), 108, 115(2) and 3(5) of BNS, 2023.

3. It is submitted by the learned counsel that because of the institution of the case at Annexure-2 the Petitioners have been falsely implicated in the case, in which they are seeking pre-arrest bail.

4. It is submitted by the learned counsel that because of the institution of Puri Sadar P.S. Case No.368 of 2026 at the instance of the Petitioners showing the deceased as an accused, he committed suicide.

5. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail and refers to the statement of the witnesses examined during the course of the investigation including that of the complainant, namely, Jayachandra Pradhan.

6. The attention of this Court is also drawn to the postmortem report.

7. On perusal of the postmortem report along with the statement of the witness referred to hereinabove, it is seen that the deceased suffered several external injuries unconnected with the antemortem hanging.

8. Considering the same, this Court is not inclined to entertain the application for pre-arrest bail in respect of Petitioner Nos.2 and 3. However, it is directed that the Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 (Laxmidhar Pradhan and Sukadev @ Sukanta Pradhan) may surrender before the learned N.G.N.-cum-J.M.F.C., Puri in connection with the aforementioned case within one month from today.

In the event of their surrender and motion for bail, the same be considered by the learned N.G.N.- cum-J.M.F.C., Puri on merits, in the first hour of the day.

In the event of rejection of the prayer for bail by the learned N.G.N.-cum-J.M.F.C., Puri, the Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 are at liberty to move the higher forum for bail in the second hour on the same day.

9. On being so moved, the higher forum is requested to make an endeavor to dispose of the bail application of the Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 on the same day.

The case diary shall be made available to the concerned courts to facilitate disposal of the bail application of the Petitioner Nos.2 and 3 and learned N.G.N.-cum-J.M.F.C., Puri is called upon to transmit the case record to the higher forum in the second hour expeditiously in the event of rejection of the bail application by him.

Ground of parity, if any, may be considered by the learned court(s) below.

10. So far as the ABLAPL in respect of Petitioner No.1 is concerned, taking into account that he is aged about years, this Court directs that on surrendering within three weeks hence and moving for bail, the Petitioner No.1(Baraju Pradhan) shall be released on bail by the learned Court in seisin on such terms as deemed just and proper.

11. Accordingly, the ABLAPL stands disposed of.

(V. NARASINGH)

Judge

Jina Digitally Signed Signed by: JINA DIGAL Designation: Junior Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 18-Aug-2026 20:16:41 Signature Not Verified