Ranjeet Kumar Choudhary Vs the State of Jharkhand — Jharkhand HC (2024) — LawSathi Research

Ranjeet Kumar Choudhary Vs the State of Jharkhand — Jharkhand HC (2024) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

No bail relief granted to the petitioner at this stage; bail application dismissed; the learned Court below directed to expedite the trial.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, Ranjeet Kumar Choudhary, in custody since 21.1.2022 in connection with ST Case No. 141 of 2022 (arising out of Bokaro Thermal PS Case No. 155 of 2020), should be released on bail at this stage.

Court's answer

Having heard learned counsels for the parties, and in the facts and circumstances of the case, the judge was not inclined to release the above-named petitioner on bail in connection with ST Case No. 141 of 2022, arising out of Bokaro Thermal PS Case No. 155 of 2020.

Ratio / Principle

The bail application of the petitioner stands dismissed, at this stage (phrase 'at this stage' completes across ¶¶16–17).

Key takeaways

The learned Court below is directed to expedite the trial.obiter¶18

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

BAIL APPLICATION DISMISSED AT THIS STAGE — BA No. 2700 of 2024 (Order No. 05 dated 24th June, 2024), High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi (Criminal Miscellaneous Jurisdiction), Ratnaker Bhengra, J.: the bail application of Ranjeet Kumar Choudhary, in custody since 21.1.2022 in connection with ST Case No. 141 of 2022 arising out of Bokaro Thermal PS Case No. 155 of 2020, stands dismissed. Petitioner's counsel cited complaint paragraph Nos. 9 and 10 (matter relating to demand of Rs. 15 lakh); statements of nearby witnesses under section 161 Cr.P.C. that the victim was free and living with the petitioner's family on her own terms; the victim's deposition (paragraph nos. 27, 29 and 31) that the police station did not register her case and the complaint followed twenty-five days later; a case filed by the petitioner's wife against her; and the victim's own refusal of medical examination. State counsel opposed, pointing out paragraph nos. 1 to 9 of the victim's deposition disclosing kidnapping, administration of drug and exploitation, with the victim having fully supported her complaint in evidence. The judge, in the facts and circumstances of the case, was not inclined to grant bail, dismissed the application at this stage, and directed the learned Court below to expedite the trial.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI (Criminal Miscellaneous Jurisdiction)

BA No. 2700 of 2024

Ranjeet Kumar Choudhary ... … Petitioner

Versus

The State of Jharkhand … … Opposite Party

CORAM : HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RATNAKER BHENGRA

For the Petitioner : Mr. Randhir Kumar, Advocate;

Ms. Pinki Kumari, Advocate For the State : Mr. Suraj Deo Munda, APP

Order No.05/Dated: 24th June, 2024

The learned counsel for the petitioner has referred to paragraph Nos. 9 and 10 of the complaint filed by the complainant and pointed out that the matter relates to demand of Rs. 15 lakh. He has further stated that witnesses who were living nearby the place where the victim was allegedly confined have stated under section 161 Cr.P.C. that victim was free and was living with the family of the petitioner with her own terms. The learned counsel for the petitioner has further stated that the victim, in her deposition at paragraph nos. 27, 29 and 31, deposed that firstly she went to the police station but police has not registered her case and thereafter after twenty five days she lodged complaint, even wife of the petitioner has also filed a case against her. He has further stated that the victim herself has refused for medical examination. The petitioner is in custody since 21.1.2022. Therefore, he may be released on bail.

The learned counsel for the State has opposed the prayer for bail and submitted that the victim has fully supported her complaint in her evidence in the Court. He has further pointed out paragraph nos. 1 to 9 of her deposition wherein she has disclosed entire story as to how she was kidnapped and administered drug and, thereafter, she was exploited by this petitioner.

Having heard learned counsels for the parties and in the facts and circumstances of the case, I am not inclined to release the above-named petitioner on bail in connection with ST Case No. 141 of 2022, arising out of Bokaro Thermal PS Case No. 155 of 2020.

Therefore, the bail application of the petitioner stands dismissed, at

this stage.

However, the learned Court below is directed to expedite the trial.

KNR (Ratnaker Bhengra, J.)