Bukan Munda v. State of Jharkhand
Case brief
What is this about?
Anticipatory bail application (A.B.A. No. 1125 of 2026), High Court of Jharkhand, Ranchi, decided 07.04.2026 by Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi. Five petitioners (Bukan Munda, Jura Munda, Manga Munda @ Baji Munda, Birsa Munda, Ganjhu Munda) sought protection from arrest in Chouparan PS Case No. 15 of 2025 under sections 17(c) and 18(b) of the NDPS Act, pending before the Special NDPS Judge, Hazaribagh, over alleged poppy cultivation on forest land at Village Kalidag, Chouparan, Hazaribagh. Court weighed that the land belonged to the forest department and petitioners had no criminal antecedent; directed surrender within two weeks and release on bail on terms, conditions and sureties as the learned court deemed fit; petition disposed of. Keywords: anticipatory bail, NDPS Act 17(c) 18(b), poppy cultivation, forest land, Hazaribagh, surrender, conditional release.
What did the court decide?
Petitioners directed to surrender before the learned court within two weeks, whereupon the learned court to release them on such terms and conditions as well as sureties as it deems fit and proper.