Ranjit Mochi @ Ranjit Ram Vs the State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

Ranjit Mochi @ Ranjit Ram Vs the State of Jharkhand — Narcotics (NDPS) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Anticipatory bail granted: petitioner to surrender within three weeks; on arrest or surrender, to be enlarged on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, NDPS at Latehar, in connection with Bariyatu P.S. Case No.10 of 2026, subject to conditions under Section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, apprehending arrest in Bariyatu P.S. Case No.10 of 2026 registered under Sections 15(c), 18(b), 22/25/29 of the NDPS Act, is entitled to anticipatory bail.

Court's answer

Considering that the land is of the Forest Department and does not belong to the petitioner, and that the petitioner has no criminal antecedent as disclosed in paragraph 13 of the application, the court is inclined to extend the privilege of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

Ratio / Principle

The petitioner is directed to surrender before the learned Court within three weeks; in the event of his arrest or surrender he is to be enlarged on bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, NDPS at Latehar, subject to the conditions under Section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Anticipatory Bail Allowed (High Court of Jharkhand, Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi, J., 13.05.2026): Petitioner apprehending arrest in Bariyatu P.S. Case No.10 of 2026 under Sections 15(c), 18(b), 22/25/29 of NDPS Act (alleged cultivation of poppy plants on forest land) held entitled to anticipatory bail. Court was influenced by the fact that the land belongs to the Forest Department and not to the petitioner, and that the petitioner has no criminal antecedent. Petitioner directed to surrender within three weeks; on arrest or surrender to be enlarged on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, NDPS at Latehar, subject to conditions under Section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

( 2026:JHHC:14631 )

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI A.B.A. No. 2444 of 2026

Ranjit Mochi @ Ranjit Ram, aged about 28 years, son of Late Umesh Ram, resident of Village- Balubhang, Tola Kotnasimar, P.O. Balubhang, P.S. Bariyatu, District- Latehar … Petitioner

-Versus- The State of Jharkhand … Opposite Party ----CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR DWIVEDI ----- For the Petitioner : Mr. Ramesh Kumar, Advocate For the State : Mr. Bhola Nath Ojha, A.P.P. -----

02/13.05.2026 Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and learned counsel

appearing for the State.

The petitioner is apprehending his arrest in connection with Bariyatu P.S. Case No.10 of 2026, registered for the offence under Sections 15(c), 18(b), 22/25/29 of NDPS Act, pending in the Court of the learned Special Judge, NDPS at Latehar.

Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the case. He further submits that the allegations are made that the petitioner is indulged in cultivation of poppy plants. He next submits that the petitioner has nothing to do with the said poppy plants. He also submits that the petitioner is having no criminal antecedent, as disclosed in paragraph 13 of this application.

Learned counsel appearing for the State opposed the prayer and submits that the allegations are there of cultivation of poppy plants on the forest land.

Considering that the land is of the Forest Department and that is not belonging to the petitioner and the petitioner has got no criminal antecedent as disclosed in paragraph 13 of this application and in the attending facts and

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A.B.A. No. 2444 of 2026

( 2026:JHHC:14631 )

circumstances of the case, I am inclined to extend the privilege of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

Accordingly, the above-named petitioner is directed to surrender before the learned Court within three weeks from today and in the event of his arrest or surrender, he shall be enlarged on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/- (Twenty Five Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Special Judge, NDPS at Latehar in connection with Bariyatu P.S. Case No.10 of 2026, subject to the conditions as laid down under Section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

(Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi, J.)

Dated: 13^th May, 2026 Ajay/

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A.B.A. No. 2444 of 2026