IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK CRLA No.544 of 2026 Basanta Pradhan @ Basanta … Appellant Kumar Pradhan Mr. B.K.Raj, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha and another … Respondents Mr. T.K. Acharya, Addl. PP Mr.M.K.Swain, Advocate for the Informant CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY ORDER(ORAL):28.07.2026Order No. 02. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual/Physical Mode). 2. This criminal appeal in the nature of bail U/S.14-A of the Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 together with amendment Act, 2016 (in short, “the Act”) is directed against the impugned order dated 20.05.2026 passed in Special GR Case No.32 of 2026 by which the learned Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Nayagarh, has refused to grant bail to the appellant in connection with Fategarh PS Case No.135 of 2026, for commission of offence punishable U/Ss. 296/115(2)/109/3(5) of BNS and r/w Sec. 3(l)(r)/3(l)(s)/3(2)(va) of SC & ST (POA) Act, on the main allegation of attempting to the life of the injured persons namely Hadubandhu Behera, Dinabandhu Behera & Banambar Behera belonging to SC community by assaulting them, along with co-accused persons taking advantage of their caste. Page 1 of 3 3. Heard, Mr. Bikram Keshari Raj, learned counsel for the appellant; Mr.Malaya Kumar Swain, learned counsel for the informant and Mr. T.K. Acharya, learned Additional Public Prosecutor in the matter and perused the record.

4. After having considered the rival submissions and taking into consideration the nature and gravity of the offence alleged against the appellant vis-a-vis the accusations sought to be brought against him and regard being had to the pre-trial detention of the appellant in custody since 04.05.2026 with substantial progress in investigation and there being some simple injuries to the injured persons and keeping in view the other circumstance on record in entirety including the inherent right of the accused-appellant to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial, this Court without expressing any view on the merits, considers it proper to admit the appellant to bail. 5. Hence, the CRLA stands allowed and the impugned order is, hereby, set aside. Consequently, the appellant is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) only with one solvent surety 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 the learned Court in seisin over the matter. Page 2 of 3 6. 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 kishore Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: KISHORE KUMAR SAHOO Reason: Authentication

Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 28-Jul-2026 18:12:46 Page 3 of 3

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK CRLA No.544 of 2026 Basanta Pradhan @ Basanta … Appellant Kumar Pradhan Mr. B.K.Raj, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha and another … Respondents Mr. T.K. Acharya, Addl. PP Mr.M.K.Swain, Advocate for the Informant CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY ORDER(ORAL):28.07.2026Order No. 02. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual/Physical Mode). 2. This criminal appeal in the nature of bail U/S.14-A of the Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 together with amendment Act, 2016 (in short, “the Act”) is directed against the impugned order dated 20.05.2026 passed in Special GR Case No.32 of 2026 by which the learned Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, Nayagarh, has refused to grant bail to the appellant in connection with Fategarh PS Case No.135 of 2026, for commission of offence punishable U/Ss. 296/115(2)/109/3(5) of BNS and r/w Sec. 3(l)(r)/3(l)(s)/3(2)(va) of SC & ST (POA) Act, on the main allegation of attempting to the life of the injured persons namely Hadubandhu Behera, Dinabandhu Behera & Banambar Behera belonging to SC community by assaulting them, along with co-accused persons taking advantage of their caste. Page 1 of 3 3. Heard, Mr. Bikram Keshari Raj, learned counsel for the appellant; Mr.Malaya Kumar Swain, learned counsel for the informant and Mr. T.K. Acharya, learned Additional Public Prosecutor in the matter and perused the record.

4. After having considered the rival submissions and taking into consideration the nature and gravity of the offence alleged against the appellant vis-a-vis the accusations sought to be brought against him and regard being had to the pre-trial detention of the appellant in custody since 04.05.2026 with substantial progress in investigation and there being some simple injuries to the injured persons and keeping in view the other circumstance on record in entirety including the inherent right of the accused-appellant to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial, this Court without expressing any view on the merits, considers it proper to admit the appellant to bail. 5. Hence, the CRLA stands allowed and the impugned order is, hereby, set aside. Consequently, the appellant is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) only with one solvent surety 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 the learned Court in seisin over the matter. Page 2 of 3 6. 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 kishore Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: KISHORE KUMAR SAHOO Reason: Authentication

Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 28-Jul-2026 18:12:46 Page 3 of 3