IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 7652 of 2026 CNR No. ODHC010477222026 Ramesh Bhoi …. Petitioner Mr. S. Patel, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. C.R. Swain, AGA CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH ORDER 18.08.2026 Order No. 02. 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.1025 of 2026 pending on the file of learned S.D.J.M., Sundargarh, arising out of Sadar P.S. Case No.306 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Section 318(2)/351(2) of BNS. 3. The report of the learned Mediator indicating that the mediation has not been successful is taken on record. 4. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the Petitioner that primarily a dispute relating to non-clearance of a handloan is the subject matter of institution of the FIR. Hence, Petitioner may be protected by pre-arrest bail. 5. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail, inter alia, on the ground that Page 1 of 2 the Petitioner has the following two criminal antecedents; i. Sadar P.S. Case No.320 of 2022 U/s.294/506/34 of IPC. ii. Sadar P.S. Case No.5 of 2023 U/s.294/323/324/354-A/354-B/452/506/34 of IPC. 6. It is trite that merely because the Petitioner has criminal antecedent, that cannot be the sole ground to reject the prayer for pre-arrest bail and each case has to be dealt with on its own factual matrix.

7. Considering the nature of allegations, 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. Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: SANTOSHI LENKA (V. NARASINGH) Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack Judge Date: 19-Aug-2026 18:40:55 Santoshi Page 2 of 2

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 7652 of 2026 CNR No. ODHC010477222026 Ramesh Bhoi …. Petitioner Mr. S. Patel, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha …. Opposite Party Mr. C.R. Swain, AGA CORAM: JUSTICE V. NARASINGH ORDER 18.08.2026 Order No. 02. 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.1025 of 2026 pending on the file of learned S.D.J.M., Sundargarh, arising out of Sadar P.S. Case No.306 of 2026 for commission of offences punishable under Section 318(2)/351(2) of BNS. 3. The report of the learned Mediator indicating that the mediation has not been successful is taken on record. 4. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the Petitioner that primarily a dispute relating to non-clearance of a handloan is the subject matter of institution of the FIR. Hence, Petitioner may be protected by pre-arrest bail. 5. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer for pre-arrest bail, inter alia, on the ground that Page 1 of 2 the Petitioner has the following two criminal antecedents; i. Sadar P.S. Case No.320 of 2022 U/s.294/506/34 of IPC. ii. Sadar P.S. Case No.5 of 2023 U/s.294/323/324/354-A/354-B/452/506/34 of IPC. 6. It is trite that merely because the Petitioner has criminal antecedent, that cannot be the sole ground to reject the prayer for pre-arrest bail and each case has to be dealt with on its own factual matrix.

7. Considering the nature of allegations, 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. Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: SANTOSHI LENKA (V. NARASINGH) Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack Judge Date: 19-Aug-2026 18:40:55 Santoshi Page 2 of 2