Shivcharan Munda Vs the State of Jharkhand — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Jharkhand HC (2026)

Shivcharan Munda Vs the State of Jharkhand — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Jharkhand HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Release of the petitioner on regular bail in connection with S.T. Case No. 359 of 2023 arising out of Dasamfall P.S. Case No. 01 of 2023, on bail bond of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each, subject to conditions of trial co-operation, furnishing mobile number and Aadhaar copy with undertaking not to change the number, and non-interference with the informant/witnesses.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, already refused regular bail once (rejected 29.07.2025) and accused in S.T. Case No. 359 of 2023 under Sections 302/201, 120(B) IPC, should be released on regular bail on his second application.

Court's answer

On the second bail application, considering the counsel's submissions and the stated facts (including closure of prosecution evidence after only three witnesses and prolonged custody since 05.02.2023), the court inclined to release the petitioner on bail.

Ratio / Principle

Bail ordered on furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of learned Additional Judicial Commissioner-VII, cum Spl. Judge CBI (AHD Scam) at Ranchi, subject to conditions: co-operation with the trial; furnishing mobile phone number and photocopy of Aadhar Card with an undertaking not to change the mobile number during the trial; and not to annoy or disturb the informant or other witnesses during the pendency of the case.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bail Application Allowed — Second Regular Bail — S. 302/201, 120(B) IPC — High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi (Anil Kumar Choudhary, J.), 06.05.2026: Shivcharan Munda, accused in S.T. Case No. 359 of 2023 (Dasamfall P.S. Case No. 01 of 2023), sought regular bail a second time, his first prayer having been rejected on 29.07.2025. Fresh ground urged: prosecution evidence had closed after examination of only three witnesses, with none but P.W.1 implicating the petitioner — and she on information supplied by police; petitioner in custody since 05.02.2023; trial listed for final arguments on 06.05.2026. Bail allowed on bond of Rs. 25,000/- with two like sureties, to the satisfaction of Addl. Judicial Commissioner-VII cum Spl. Judge CBI (AHD Scam), Ranchi, conditioned on co-operation with trial, furnishing mobile number and Aadhaar copy with undertaking not to change the number, and not annoying or disturbing the informant or other witnesses.

2026:JHHC:13422

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI

B.A. No. 3832 of 2026

Shivcharan Munda, aged about 28 year, S/O-Abhiram Munda, R/O Sharubeda P.O. and P.S.-Tamar District- Ranchi (Jharkhand)

… … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand … … ... Opp. Party --------- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY --------For the Petitioners: :Mr. Suraj Kishore Prasad, Advocate For the State :Mrs. Priya Shrestha, Spl.P.P. ---------

002/Dated: 06.05.2026

Heard the parties.

The petitioner has been made accused in connection with S.T. Case No. 359 of 2023 arising out of Dasamfall P.S. Case No. 01 of 2023 instituted for the offences punishable under Section 302/201, 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code.

Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that this is the second journey of the petitioner with the prayer for regular bail. Earlier the prayer for regular bail was rejected on 29.07.2025. It is next submitted that the fresh ground is that in the meanwhile, the prosecution evidence has been closed after the examination of three prosecution witnesses only. The certified copy of the deposition of them has been annexed at Annexure 3 at page 26-30. It is submitted that except the P.W.1 no one else has said anything to implicate the petitioner in this case and the P.W.1 has stated that she has knowledge that the petitioner has beaten up the deceased with lathi, on the basis of information provided to her by police. It is next submitted that the allegation against the petitioner is false. The case is listed today on 06.05.2026 for final hearing of the argument of the Sessions trial. The petitioner has been in custody since 05.02.2023 as mentioned in para 18 of the bail application. It is submitted that the petitioner has no criminal antecedent as stated in paragraph 20 of the bail application. It is next submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is ready and willing to co-operate with the trial of the case and undertakes not to

annoy or disturb the informant or the other witnesses of the case in any manner during trial of the case, hence, the petitioner may be admitted to regular bail.

Learned Addl. P.P. opposed the prayer for regular bail.

Considering submissions of learned counsels and the facts as stated above, I am inclined to release the petitioner on bail. Hence, the court below is directed to release the petitioner 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 Additional Judicial Commissioner-VII, cum Spl. Judge CBI (AHD Scam) at Ranchi in connection with S.T. Case No. 359 of 2023 arising out of Dasamfall P.S. Case No. 01 of 2023 with the condition that the petitioner will co-operate with the trial of the case and will furnish mobile phone number and photocopy of the Aadhar Card in the court below with an undertaking that he will not change the mobile phone number during the trial of the case and he undertakes not to annoy or disturb the informant or the other witnesses of the case in any manner during the pendency of the case.

(Anil Kumar Choudhary, J.)

Dated: 06.05.2026 Uploaded: 07.05.2026 MM/Cp.03