ANTICIPATORY BAIL REJECTED; COMPROMISE PETITION NOT ACCEPTED — High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi (Sanjay Prasad, J.), decided 28.01.2026, dismissed Cr. Appeal (S.J) No. 670 of 2025 whereby Safikul Shekh, Jalil Shekh @ Jalil Sk and Kashim Shekh @ Abdul Kasim @ Abul Kasim, apprehending arrest in Barharwa P.S. Case No.79 of 2025 (Sections 190, 191(2), 191(3), 126(2), 115(2), 118(1), 352, 351(2), 109(2) of BNS, 2023; sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(1)(x), 3(1)(y), 3(1)(za), 3(1)(zc) of SC/ST Act) pending before the Special Judge, SC/ST Court, Sahibganj, sought anticipatory bail. FIR (lodged 20.03.2025) alleged that on 14.03.2025 men of the Muslim community obstructed Holi celebration by Paharia Janjati residents, abused and outraged the informant, imposed a social boycott forbidding shopkeepers, doctors, schools, Aanganbari Kendras and Government water taps, and destroyed a Government well. The Court found case-diary witness statements corroborated the FIR, naming ten persons who issued blanket prohibitions backed by threat of a Rs.10,000/- fine; concluded the informant was compelled under coercion to file the Joint Compromise Petition (I.A No.10689 of 2025, dated 08.08.2025), rejected that petition and also counsel's mid-hearing withdrawal request, and rejected anticipatory bail. Observing the accused were 'running parallel administration' and that ten months after the FIR no named accused had been apprehended — showing negligence of the IO and senior police officials — the Court directed the Deputy Commissioner and SP, Sahibganj to secure the Paharia community forthwith, the DGP and Home Department to ensure compliance, welfare and supply of food grains, water and basic amenities, ordered copies to the Chief Secretary and other officials, contemplated committee(s) of senior officials, and directed prevention of recurrence across the Dumka Commissionarate.
