Santu Kumar Vs the State of Jharkhand — Jharkhand HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Santu Kumar Vs the State of Jharkhand — Jharkhand HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Regular bail granted: the applicant is to be released on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Ten thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned J.M., 1st Class, Hazaribagh, in connection with Keredari P.S. Case No.160 of 2025, on condition that he submits a self-attested photocopy of his Aadhaar Card and keeps an active mobile number before the learned trial court during pendency of the case.

Issue for consideration

Whether regular bail should be granted to the applicant, who is in custody since 01.11.2025 in connection with Keredari P.S. Case No.160 of 2025, registered for the offence under Sections 305/331(3) of the B.N.S., 2023.

Court's answer

Considering the period of custody and the fact that no criminal antecedent has been reported against the applicant, the Court was inclined to enlarge the applicant on bail.

Ratio / Principle

The applicant was directed to be released on bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned J.M., 1st Class, Hazaribagh, subject to submitting a self-attested photocopy of his Aadhaar Card and keeping an active mobile number before the learned trial court during pendency of the case.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

BAIL — REGULAR BAIL GRANTED (B.A. No.1274 of 2026, High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi, Rajesh Kumar, J., 10th March 2026): Santu Kumar (22), arraigned in Keredari P.S. Case No.160 of 2025 under Sections 305/331(3) of the B.N.S., 2023 and in custody since 01.11.2025, was enlarged on bail, the Court being moved by the period of custody and the absence of any reported criminal antecedent. Counsel had submitted that the applicant was not named in the F.I.R, was roped in only on suspicion, was a B.A. student with no criminal antecedent, and gave an undertaking to participate in the trial; the State opposed the prayer. Bail was ordered on a bond of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned J.M., 1st Class, Hazaribagh, subject to depositing a self-attested photocopy of the Aadhaar Card and maintaining an active mobile number before the trial court for the duration of the case.

2026:JHHC:6192

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.1274 of 2026

Santu Kumar, aged about 22 years, S/o – Mohan Saw, Resident of Mali Tola, Khirgaon, P.O. - Hazaribag, P.S. - Sadar, District – Hazaribagh (Jharkhand), PIN – 825301.

…… Petitioner

Versus

The State of Jharkhand …... Opp. Party

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR

For the Petitioner : Mr. Satish Kumar, Advocate For the State : Mr. Shailesh Kr. Sinha, A.P.P --------

02/Dated: 10th March, 2026

1. Heard learned counsel for the applicant and learned counsel for the State.

2. The applicant, who is in custody since 01.11.2025, has approached this Court for grant of regular bail in connection with Keredari P.S. Case No.160 of 2025, registered for the offence under Sections 305/ 331(3) of the B.N.S., 2023.

3. It has been submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that complete set of F.I.R along with its enclosures have been annexed with the present bail application and there is no suppression on his/ her part.

Innocence of the applicant has been claimed and undertaking has been given for participation in the trial. It has been submitted that this applicant is not named in the F.I.R and he has been roped in the present case only on the basis of suspicion. It has further been submitted that this applicant is a student of B.A having no criminal antecedent. On the above basis, prayer for bail has been made.

4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State has opposed the prayer for bail.

5. Considering the period of custody and the fact that no criminal antecedent has been reported against this applicant, I am inclined to enlarge the applicant on bail. Accordingly, the applicant is directed to be released on bail, on his furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Ten thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned J.M., 1^st

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2026:JHHC:6192

Class, Hazaribagh, in connection with Keredari P.S. Case No.160 of 2025, on the condition that the applicant will submit self attested photocopy of his Aadhaar Card and his mobile number before the learned trial court which he will always keep active and will not change it during pendency of this case without prior permission of the court.

(Rajesh Kumar, J.)

10^th March, 2026 Ravi-Chandan/Uploaded on 11.03.2026

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