Partly allowed

Jharu Sikdar And Ors. v. State of Jharkhand

Jharkhand HC9 Apr 2026Cr.A(SJ)/1184/2005

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court upheld the conviction for assault but modified the sentence, directing the release of the first-time offenders under Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 upon furnishing bonds.

What did the court decide?

Sentence modified; appellants directed to be released on furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000 with one surety each for one year under Probation of Offenders Act.

Jharu Sikdar And Ors. Vs State of Jharkhand — Bail and Remand | Jharkhand HC (2026)

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2026:JHHC:10454

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IN THE HIGH COURT OFJHARKHAND AT RANCHI

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Cr. Appeal (S.J.) No. 1184 of 2005

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JharuSikdar, Son of Late PrasadiSikdar

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Bailu Rout

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Gangu Rout

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Jyotish Rout

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Appellant Nos.2-4 are son of late Panchu Rout, and all are resident of village-Ghat Kurba, P.S.-Pathergama, Dist. Godda

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……Appellants

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Versus

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The State of Jharkhand

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Makuntala Devi, W/o-Prakash Rai, R/o-Village-Ram Suvdriya, P.S.Palhargama, Dist.-Godda …. Respondents

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…. Respondents

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For the Appellants : Mr. Manoj Kumar Sah, Advocate For the Resp.-State : Mrs. Priya Shrestha, Spl.P.P.

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PRESENT

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP KUMAR SRIVASTAVA JUDGMENT

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Dated:09^th April, 2026

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Heard Mr. Manoj Kumar Sah, learned counsel for the appellants and learned Spl.P.P.

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The instant criminal appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 20^th August, 2005 passed by the learned 1^st Additional Sessions Judge, Godda in Sessions Case Nos.141/1997, 133/1999 arising out of Pathargama P.S. Case No.100 of 1996, corresponding to G.R. No.634 of 1996, whereby and whereunder the appellants have been held guilty for the offence under section 325 of Indian Penal Code and sentenced to undergo R.I. for six months.

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Factual Matrix:-

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Cr. Appeal (S.J.) No.1184 of 2005

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2026:JHHC:10454

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Factual matrix giving rise to this appeal is that on 23^rd August, 1996 at about 8:00pm, all the above appellants while under drunken state, were abusing in filthy language by saying that whoever will come in their way to create obstacle in realization of rangadari , they will ruin their life. Acting upon which, the husband of the informant, namely, Jai Prakash Rai came forward and advised them to go their home as they are drunk but they got furious and chased the husband of the informant to assault but he managed to escape from the clutch of the accused persons. On the next day i.e. on 24.08.1996 at about 8:00 am, while the husband of the informant was taking a bath in front of his house, all the accused persons armed with deadly weapons came there and caught hold of him and started indiscriminately assaulting him with iron rod and lathi and caused injuries to him. Upon hearing hulla , all the locals arrived there and saved the husband of the informant from the assault of the accused persons.

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On the basis of aforesaid information, Pathargama P.S. Case No.100 of 1996 was instituted for the offences under sections 341, 323, 325 and 307/34 of IPC. After completion of investigation, charge-sheet was submitted against the appellants and after taking cognizance, the case was committed to the court of Sessions where Sessions Case No.Nos.141/1997, 133/1999was registered. The appellants have denied the charges leveled against them and claimed to be tried. After conclusion of the trial, the impugned judgment and order of conviction

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Cr. Appeal (S.J.) No.1184 of 2005

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2026:JHHC:10454

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and sentence of the appellants was passed, which has been assailed in this appeal.

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Prosecution has examined altogether 7 witnesses in this case and one documentary evidences i.e. injury report of injured, Jay Prakash Rai has also been adduced.

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On the other hand, no oral or documentary evidence has been adduced by the defence. The case of defence is denial from occurrence and false implication due to village politics.

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Submission on behalf of appellants:-

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Learned counsel for the appellants without touching the merits of the judgment has confined himself to the point of non-extension the benefit of section 4 of Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 to the appellants to which they deserve. It is further submitted that it was the first offence of the appellants and there was specific plea before the concerned trial court that the appellants may be given the benefit of section 4 of Probation of Offenders Act for the offence under section 325 of IPC, which has been proved against them but the learned trial court without recording any special reasons has awarded substantive sentence of imprisonment, which is not justified under law. The appellants deserve the benefit of section 4 of Probation of Offenders Act, 1958.

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Submission on behalf of the State:-

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On the other hand, learned Special Public Prosecutor appearing for the State has defended the judgment of conviction and sentence of the

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Cr. Appeal (S.J.) No.1184 of 2005

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2026:JHHC:10454

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appellants on merits but so far extending the benefit of Probation of Offenders Act is concerned, it is fairly admitted that it was the first offence of the appellants, hence, they deserve the benefit of Probation of Offenders Act.

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Analysis, Reasons and Decision:-

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In view of the above facts and circumstances, the conviction of the appellants is hereby upheld but so far the sentence awarded by the trial court to the above named accused persons/appellants is concerned, is modified and the trial court is directed to release the appellants extending the benefit of Section 4 of Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 upon furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rs. Ten Thousand) each with one sureties with condition to maintain peace and good behavior for one year from the date of furnishing the bond.

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10.In case of violation of terms and conditions of the bond, the appellants shall be called upon to receive the sentence of imprisonment already awarded to them by the learned trial court. The appellants are also directed to appear before the concerned trial court within two months from the date of this judgment and furnish the required bond, failing which, the appellants shall be called upon by learned trial court to furnish the said bond.

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11.In case of violation of terms and conditions of bond, the appellant shall be called upon to receive the sentence of imprisonment awarded to them.

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Cr. Appeal (S.J.) No.1184 of 2005

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2026:JHHC:10454

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12.In view of above discussion and reasons, this appeal is dismissed on merits with modification of sentence as stated above

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13.Pending I.A(s), if any, is also disposed of accordingly.

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14.Let a copy of this judgment along with Trial Court Record be sent back immediately to the concerned trial court for compliance.

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(Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, J.)

Pappu /-

09/04/2026

Cr. Appeal (S.J.) No.1184 of 2005

Jharu Sikdar And Ors. v. State of Jharkhand

Case brief

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Jharu Sikdar And Ors. v. State of Jharkhand

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