Pradyumna Mohapatra @ Pradyumn Vs State of Odisha — Narcotics (NDPS) | Orissa HC (2025)

Pradyumna Mohapatra @ Pradyumn Vs State of Odisha — Narcotics (NDPS) | Orissa HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Petitioner admitted to bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) only with two solvent sureties each for the like amount, to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin of the case, on such terms and conditions as deemed fit and proper by it, subject to verification of criminal antecedents; BLAPL stands disposed of.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, in custody since 07.01.2025 in connection with Satapada Excise Station, Puri P.R. No. 168 of 202425 / T.R. Case No.34 of 2025 (Special G.R. Case No.2 of 2025) for alleged possession of 142 grams of brown sugar punishable U/S 21(b) of the NDPS Act, is entitled to bail under S.483 of BNSS. +1 more

Court's answer

Taking into account the custody period of the petitioner and the progress of trial in the case, and without expressing any view on merits, the Court admits the petitioner to bail.

Ratio / Principle

The quantity of contraband seized in the case is not beyond commercial quantity, so the provision of Section 37 of the NDPS Act is not attracted.

Key takeaways

The grant of bail is subject to verification of the petitioner's criminal antecedents; if any criminal antecedent of similar nature is found, the benefit of the order shall not be extended without seeking leave of this Court.ratio¶18

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Orissa High Court (G. Satapathy, J.), by oral order dated 10.09.2025, allowed BLAPL No. 3604 of 2025, a bail application under S.483 of BNSS moved by Pradyumna Mohapatra, arraigned in connection with Satapada Excise Station, Puri P.R. No. 168 of 202425, corresponding to T.R. Case No.34 of 2025 (Special G.R. Case No.2 of 2025) pending before the learned Special Judge, Puri, for offences punishable U/Ss. 21(b) of the NDPS Act on the main allegation of possessing 142 grams of Brown Sugar. Noting that the petitioner was in custody since 07.01.2025, that two witnesses had been examined with the independent seizure witness having turned hostile, that no criminal antecedent of similar nature was claimed, and that the quantity of contraband seized was not beyond commercial quantity so as to attract Section 37 of the NDPS Act, the Court — without expressing any view on merits and taking into account the custody period and progress of trial — admitted the petitioner to bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) with two solvent sureties each for the like amount. The grant was made subject to verification of criminal antecedents, with the stipulation that if any similar antecedent is found, the benefit of the order shall not be extended without leave of the Court. The BLAPL stood disposed of accordingly.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No. 3604 of 2025

Pradyumna Mohapatra @ … Petitioner Pradyumn

Mr. D.P. Dhal, Sr. Advocate along with Mr. A. Pradhan, Advocate

-versus-

State of Odisha

… Opposite Party Mr. R.B. Misha, Addl. PP

CORAM:

JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY

Order No.

02.

ORDER(ORAL) 10.09.2025

This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual/Physical Mode).

This is a bail application U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioner for grant of bail in connection with Satapada Excise Station, Puri P.R. No. 168 of 202425 corresponding to T.R. Case No.34 of 2025 (Special G.R. Case No.2 of 2025) pending in the file of learned Special Judge, Puri, for commission of offences punishable U/Ss. 21(b) of the NDPS Act, on the main allegation of possessing 142Grams of Brown Sugar. 3. Heard, Mr. Debi Prasad Dhal, learned Senior Counsel, who is being assisted by Mr. Abhisekh Pradhan, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. R.B. Mishra, learned Additional Public Prosecutor in the matter and perused the record.

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Admittedly, the petitioner is in custody since 07.01.2025 and in the meantime two witnesses have already been examined, out of which the independent seizure witness has become hostile to the prosecution case. It is claimed on instruction that the petitioner is not having any criminal antecedent of similar nature. The quantity of Contraband article seized in this case is not beyond commercial quantity so as to attract the provision of Section 37 of NDPS Act.

In such view of the matter and taking into account the custody period of the petitioner and the progress of trial in this case, this Court without expressing any view on merits, admits the petitioner to bail.

Hence, the bail application of the Petitioner stands allowed and the Petitioner is allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) only with two solvent sureties each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin of the case on such terms and conditions as deems fit and proper by it.

The aforesaid order is subject to verification of the criminal antecedent of the petitioner and in case any criminal antecedent of similar nature is found against the petitioner, the benefit of this order shall not be extended to him without seeking leave of this Court.

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Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of.

Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules.

(G. Satapathy) Judge

S.Sasmal

Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signed Signed by: SUBHASMITA SASMAL Designation: Jr. Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 11-Sep-2025 14:37:34

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