[2026:JHHC:22639] IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 5792 of 2026 Anima Munda, aged about 25 years D/O Suresh Pahan R/O Vill- Jarga Tetar Toli, Bagiabera PO- Angara PS- Angara Dist-Ranchi (Jharkhand) … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand … Opp. Party Coram: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY For the Petitioner : Mr. Awanish Ranjan Mishra , Adv. For the State : Mr. Shashi Kr. Verma, Addl. PP 03 / 29.07.2026 Heard the parties. The petitioner has been made accused in connection with Angara P S Case No 46/2024 (S.T.No. 661/2025) instituted under Section 148/ 325/ 302/ 201/ 504/ 506/ 34 of Indian Penal Code and Sections 3 and 4 of Prevention of Witch (Daain) Practice Act.

Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that this is the fourth journey of the petitioner with the prayer for regular bail as his earlier bail application was rejected vide order dated 28.11.2024 passed in B.A. No. 9825 of 2024, vide order dated 05.12.2025 passed in B.A. No. 10049 of 2025 and vide order dated 05.05.2026 passed in B.A. No. 2871 of 2026. It is next submitted that the fresh ground is that in the meanwhile, three more witnesses have been examined being PW2 to 4, out of whom, PW2 has supported the case of prosecution and PWs 3 and 4 have been declared hostile. It is next submitted that earlier the examination of PW1 could not be intimated to this Court on 05.05.2026 when the prayer for bail of the petitioner was earlier rejected for the third time but the PW1 has supported the case of prosecution also. It is next submitted that co-accused person has been granted bail and the case of the petitioner stands on better footing. It is next submitted that the petitioner has been in jail custody since 30.05.2024, as mentioned in para 7 of this bail application. It is next submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is ready and willing to co-operate with the trial of the case hence, the petitioner be admitted to regular bail.

Learned Addl. P.P. appearing for the State vehemently opposes the prayer for bail and submits that there is direct and specific allegation against the petitioner of committing murder of the deceased- Baleshwar Oraon and also attempting to murder his wife, on the ground that she is a ‘Daain’ and there is every chance of the petitioner absconding as well as tampering with evidence, if released on bail. It is therefore submitted that the petitioner ought not be released on bail at this stage. Considering the serious nature of allegation against the petitioner as well as the chance of his tampering with the evidence and absconding, if released on bail, this Court is of the considered view that this is not a fit case where the above-named petitioner be released on bail. Accordingly, the prayer for bail of the above-named petitioner is rejected at this stage. (ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY, J.) Dated 29.07.2026 Smita/-