Authority: High Court of Odisha at Cuttack
Order Date: 15 October 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Shyamlal Pradhan, former branch manager of Odisha Labor Co-operative Ltd (2022).
- Opposite Party: State of Odisha.
- Related criminal proceedings: G.R. Case No.1260 of 2025, arising from Puintala P.S. Case No.218 of 2025, pending before the learned S.D.J.M., Balangir.
- Allegations: Commission of offences under Sections 319, 318(4), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 304(2), 61(2), 351(3), 3(5) of the B.N.S. read with Sections 4, 5, 6 of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act.
- Investigation findings: The petitioner opened two companies – “Agro and Labour Multi State Corporation” and “SS Apricot Pvt. Ltd” – and appointed his wife Sunita Bag as president/director of OSCSL and director of the two companies. He also appointed Panchanan Sahoo, Hrusikesh Mishra, Swarup Kumar Rout, and Yogananda Mehere as functionaries. Money was collected at Rs 250 per depositor from 27,000 depositors, totaling Rs 67,00,000 from customers in Balangir district. The petitioner is alleged to have misappropriated the collected amount.
- Procedural history: An earlier bail application (BLAPL No.9692 of 2025) was dismissed on 17 Oct 2025. Co‑accused were released on bail on the same date. The petitioner has been in custody since 27 July 2025 (approximately 14 months). The investigation is concluded and a final charge sheet has been filed, but the trial is not expected to conclude soon.
Final Outcome
- The Court, after considering the length of custodial detention and other factors, granted regular bail to the petitioner.
- Bail conditions: The petitioner must furnish a bail bond of Rs 50,000 with two solvent sureties each for the same amount, to the satisfaction of the learned court in seisin over the matter. The court may impose any additional conditions it deems just and proper; violation will lead to cancellation of bail.
- The bail application (BLAPL No.9746 of 2026) is disposed of.
Topics: Legal Bail, Fraud Investigation