Usha Devi Vs the State of Jharkhand

The petitioner has been made accused in connection with Gumla P.S. Case No. 378 of 2023 registered under sections 406, 420, 120B and 34 of Indian Penal Code.

As per FIR, allegation is that petitioner being secretary of Mahila Mandal Committee has misappropriated huge amount of Rs.17,42,997/- from the beneficiaries of the said committee.

Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has committed no offence at all rather she has been falsely implicated in this case with ulterior motive. It is further submitted that the Mahila Mandal Committee obtained load from several banks and the amount has been disturbed among the beneficiaries including the informant but they failed to repay the loan amount thereafter legal notices have been issued to the Mahila Mandal Committee and only to save their skin, the informant lodged this case against the petitioner. Petitioner is a woman having no criminal antecedents. Petitioner undertakes to co-operate with the trial of the case and remain physically present on each and every date till the conclusion of the trial and shall not indulge in tampering with the prosecution evidence or influence the witnesses or gain over them. The petitioner is languishing in judicial custody since 05.11.2023 without any rhymes and reasons. Hence the petitioner may be enlarged on bail.

Learned Addl. P.P. assisted by learned counsel for the informant has vehemently opposed the prayer for bail of the petitioner.

Considering the facts and circumstances of this case, the nature of allegation against petitioner coupled with materials available on record and period of custody of the petitioner, I am inclined to release the above named petitioner, on bail. Accordingly, the petitioner named above, is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned CJM, Gumla in connection with Gumla P.S. Case No. 378 of 2023 with condition that petitioner shall appear physically on each and every date during the trial of case till its conclusion unless her physical appearance is dispensed with for sufficient cause to the satisfaction of the learned trial court and with further condition that petitioner shall not indulge in tampering with the prosecution evidence or influence the witnesses or gain over them.

(Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, J.)

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Pappu/

Usha Devi v. the State of Jharkhand