Mani Jonko Vs the State of Jharkhand — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Jharkhand HC (2026)

Mani Jonko Vs the State of Jharkhand — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Jharkhand HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Regular bail granted: applicant directed to be released on furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Ten thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Sessions Judge – I, Ghatshila, in connection with S.T. No.01 of 2024, subject to conditions of submitting a self-attested photocopy of her Aadhaar Card and an active mobile number to the trial court.

Issue for consideration

Whether the applicant, a lady in custody since 09.09.2023 in S.T. No.01 of 2024 (arising out of Jadugora P.S. Case No.72 of 2023, G.R. No.205 of 2023, under Sections 302/201 IPC), should be enlarged on regular bail.

Court's answer

Considering the facts and materials available on record, 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/- (Ten thousand).

Key takeaways

The bail bond is to be furnished with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Sessions Judge – I, Ghatshila, in connection with S.T. No.01 of 2024 arising out of Jadugora P.S. Case No.72 of 2023 (G.R. No.205 of 2023).ratio¶17
Bail was conditioned on the applicant submitting a self-attested photocopy of her Aadhaar Card and her mobile number to the trial court, which she must keep active and not change during the pendency of the case without prior permission of the court.ratio¶17

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Regular bail — Sections 302/201 IPC — applicant-lady in custody since 09.09.2023 in S.T. No.01 of 2024, arising out of Jadugora P.S. Case No.72 of 2023, corresponding to G.R. No.205 of 2023 — of seven chargesheeted witnesses only four examined, nothing incriminating against the applicant; no witness examined after 30.09.2024, remaining witnesses being the I.O. and the doctor — bail granted on furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Ten thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Sessions Judge – I, Ghatshila — conditions: self-attested photocopy of Aadhaar Card and an active mobile number to be submitted to the trial court, not to be changed during pendency without prior permission of the court.

2026:JHHC:5487

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.412 of 2026

Mani Jonko, aged about 50 years, Wife of Chokoy Jonko, Resident of Kotopa (Forest Block), P.O & P.S. - Jadugora, Dist. - East Singhbhum. …… Petitioner

Versus

The State of Jharkhand …... Opp. Party

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR

For the Petitioner : Mr. Manoj Kr. Dash, Advocate For the State : Mr. Saket Kumar, A.P.P --------

02/Dated: 25th February, 2026

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

2. The applicant-lady, who is in custody since 09.09.2023, has approached this Court for grant of regular bail in connection with S.T. No.01 of 2024, arising out of Jadugora P.S. Case No.72 of 2023, corresponding to G.R. No.205 of 2023, registered for the offence under Sections 302/ 201 of the Indian Penal Code.

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 the F.I.R is against unknown and there is no material against this applicant. Further, out of seven chargesheeted witnesses only four have been examined and nothing incriminating material has come against her. It has further been submitted that after 30.09.2024 not a single witness has been examined. Now the witnesses who are yet to be examined are the I.O and the doctor. 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 above fact and the materials available on record, I am inclined to enlarge the applicant on bail. Accordingly, the applicant is directed to be released on bail, on her furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Ten thousand) with two

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2026:JHHC:5487

sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Additional Sessions Judge – I, Ghatshila, in connection with S.T. No.01 of 2024, arising out of Jadugora P.S. Case No.72 of 2023, corresponding to G.R. No.205 of 2023, on the condition that the applicant will submit self-attested photocopy of her Aadhaar Card and also submit her mobile number before the learned trial court which she will always keep active and will not change it during pendency of this case without prior permission of the court.

(Rajesh Kumar, J.)

25^th February, 2026 Ravi-Chandan/Uploaded on 26.02.2026

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