B.A./8941/2026 of MANOJ MANDAL Vs THE STATE OF JHARKHAND on 30 September 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI

B.A. No. 8941 of 2026

Manoj Mandal, aged about 23 years, Son of Darogi Mandal, Resident of Village-Kanshitar, P.O.-Kanshitar, P.S.-Narayanpur, Dist.-Jamtara.

… … Petitioner

Versus

The State of Jharkhand … … Opposite Party --- CORAM: HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANUBHA RAWAT CHOUDHARY ---

For the Petitioner : Mr. Mahesh Tewari, Advocate

For the Opp. Party : Mr. Shailendra Kumar Tiwari, Spl. P.P.

---

02/30.09.2026

Heard the learned counsels appearing on behalf of the parties.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in custody since 06.08.2025 in connection with Jamtara Cyber Crime P.S. Case No. 54 of 2025 corresponding to Cyber Case No. 103 of 2025, registered under Section 111(2)(b), 317(2), 317(4), 317(5), 318(4), 319(2), 363(3), 338, 340(2) of BNS, Section 66(B)(C)(D) of I.T. Act and Section 42(3)(e) of Telecommunication Act, now pending in the court of learned Special Judge Cyber Crime, Jamtara.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the bail application of the petitioner was rejected earlier on 18.02.2026 in B.A. No. 10871 of 2025 with a specific direction upon the State to ensure that the witnesses are promptly produced. He submits that thereafter the petitioner again moved application for bail in B.A. No. 5920 of 2026 indicating that the petitioner has one antecedent, but the same does not relate to cyber offence. He submits that the bail application of the petitioner was allowed, however, it was observed that the Court shall call for a report from the prosecution and, if any, case relating to cyber offence is found against the petitioner as an antecedent, the petitioner shall not be released on bail. Learned Court submits that the learned Court upon calling for a report found that the petitioner had a criminal antecedent in cyber offence and did not release the petitioner. The petitioner also filed one Cr.M.P. No. 2284 of 2026 for modification of the bail order, but the prayer was declined.

Thereafter, the petitioner moved afresh before the learned Court and the learned Court has rejected the prayer for bail vide order 27.08.2026. Learned counsel has further submitted that the petitioner has completed about one year one month of custody and the trial has not yet concluded. He submits that out of ten charge-sheet witnesses, five have already been examined and three of them are the seizure witnesses. Learned counsel submits that there is no likelihood of tempering with the evidence and considering the custody of the petitioner, the petitioner may be enlarged on bail.

4. Learned counsel for the opposite party- State has opposed the prayer for bail. However, he submits that he is not aware of the present stage of the case. He submits that the witnesses are being produced before the Court below. The other submissions made by the petitioner are not in dispute.

5. After hearing the learned counsels for the parties and considering the custody of the petitioner since 06.08.2025, the petitioner is directed to be enlarged 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 the learned Special Judge Cyber Crime, Jamtara in connection with Jamtara Cyber Crime P.S. Case No. 54 of 2025 corresponding to Cyber Case Case No. 103 of 2025, on the following conditions:

(i) One of the bailors would be the present pairvikar of the petitioner.

(ii) The other bailor should be his close relative.

(iii) However, the trial is going on, the petitioner will personally attend the Court on each and every date and in case the petitioner does not comply this order, his bail bond will be immediately cancelled.

(iv) The petitioner will deposit a self-attested copy of his Aadhar Card along with his mobile number before the learned court which he will not change during the pendency of the case without prior permission of the court.

(v) The petitioner shall fully co-operate with the proceedings before the learned trial court.

6. The instant application is allowed with the aforesaid conditions.

7. Let a copy of this order be communicated to the learned court concerned through “FAX/email”.

(Anubha Rawat Choudhary, J.) Date of Order:30.09.2026 Nandini Date of Uploading: