Pawan Gope Vs the State of Jharkhand — Jharkhand HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Pawan Gope Vs the State of Jharkhand — Jharkhand HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Bail granted — petitioner to be released on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned A.S.J.-III, Khunti, with conditions to cooperate with the trial, furnish mobile number and Aadhar Card copy, not change mobile number, and not annoy or disturb witnesses.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, in custody since 23.06.2025 in S.T. No. 179 of 2025 (offences under sections 308(1)/308(2)/308(4) of the B.N.S., 2023 and Section 17 of C.L.A. Act), should be enlarged on bail.

Court's answer

The petitioner is enlarged on bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned A.S.J.-III, Khunti, in connection with S.T. No. 179 of 2025 arising out of Karra P.S. Case No. 71 of 2024 (G.R. No. 407 of 2025).

Ratio / Principle

Bail is subject to conditions: the petitioner will cooperate with the trial, furnish his mobile number and a copy of his Aadhar Card in the court below with an undertaking not to change his mobile number during the trial, and will not annoy or disturb the witnesses in any manner during the trial.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bail — granted. Petitioner sought bail in S.T. No. 179 of 2025 arising out of Karra P.S. Case No. 71 of 2024 (G.R. No. 407 of 2025) for offences under sections 308(1)/308(2)/308(4) of the B.N.S., 2023 and Section 17 of C.L.A. Act, alleging extortion demand of Rs. 50,00,000/- via WhatsApp in the name of Martin Kerketta. Petitioner in custody since 23.06.2025; co-accused with similar allegation already admitted to bail by a coordinate Bench (order dated 18.03.2026 in B.A. No. 11207 of 2025). Court enlarged petitioner on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each, with conditions to cooperate with the trial, furnish mobile number and Aadhar Card copy, not change mobile number, and not annoy or disturb witnesses.

( 2026:JHHC:11483 ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 3280 of 2026

Pawan Gope, aged about 32 years, son of Krishna Gope, resident of Village-Mandru Toli, Chikor, P.O. & P.S.-Khunti, Dist.-Khunti, Jharkhand … Petitioner

Versus

The State of Jharkhand … Opposite Party ------

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY

For the Petitioner : Mr. Gaurav, Advocate For the State : Mr. Abhay Kr. Tiwari, Addl. P.P.

------

Order No.02 Dated- 20.04.2026

Heard the parties.

The petitioner has moved this Court for grant of bail in connection with S.T. No. 179 of 2025 arising out of Karra P.S. Case No.71 of 2024 (G.R. No. 407 of 2025) registered for the offences punishable under sections 308(1)/308(2)/308(4) of the B.N.S., 2023, Section 17 of C.L.A. Act.

The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner was involved in demanding of extortion of Rs.50,00,000/- from the informant in the name of Martin Kerketta through WhatsApp phone call. It is further submitted that the allegations against the petitioner are all false and the petitioner is not named in the FIR and he has been implicated in this case on the basis of the confessional statement and remanded in this case. It is then submitted that the petitioner has been in custody since 23.06.2025, as has been mentioned in paragraph no. 17 of the bail application. It is next submitted that the petitioner undertakes to cooperate with the trial of the case and further undertakes that he will not annoy or disturb the witnesses of the case in any manner during the trial of the case. It is lastly submitted that the co-accused person with similar allegation has already been admitted to bail by a coordinate Bench of this Court

vide order dated 18.03.2026 in B.A. No.11207 of 2025. Hence, it is submitted that the petitioner be admitted to bail.

The learned Addl. P.P. opposes the prayer for bail.

Considering the submissions of the counsels and the fact as discussed above, I am inclined to enlarge the abovenamed petitioner on bail. Accordingly, the petitioner 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 A.S.J.-III, Khunti, in connection with S.T. No. 179 of 2025 arising out of Karra P.S. Case No.71 of 2024 (G.R. No. 407 of 2025) with the condition that the petitioner will cooperate with the trial of the case and will furnish his mobile number and a copy of his Aadhar Card in the court below with the undertaking that he will not change his mobile number during the trial of the case, with further condition that he will not annoy or disturb the witnesses of the case in any manner during the trial of the case.

(Anil Kumar Choudhary, J . )

20.04.2026 Gunjan-