RANCHI, India, Feb. 12 -- Jharkhand High Court issued the following order on Jan. 12:

1. Heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of Petitioner and learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State.

2. The petitioner is apprehending his arrest in connection with Bishnugarh P.S Case No. 77/2025, registered for the offences u/s 406,409,419,420,201,427,120B of the I.P.C., pending in the Court of learned Judicial Magistrate, 1st Class, Hazaribagh.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that petitioner happened to be the Panchayat Secretary and false allegations are made that under MANREGA Scheme, job was provided to the particular contractor during Covid-19. He next submits that Mukhia and her husband have been granted anticipatory bail in ABA No.6872 of 2025. He also submits the petitioner is not related with the said contractor. In view of that, he submits that the anticipatory bail may kindly be granted.

4. Learned counsel appearing for the State opposed the prayer and submits that allegations are there of releasing fund to a particular contractor being Panchayat Secretary.

5. Considering that Mukhia and her husband have been granted anticipatory bail in ABA No.6872 of 2025. It has been pointed out that the entire work has been completed and the petitioner is not related to the contractor. In the attending facts and circumstance, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

6. Accordingly, the petitioner, above named, is directed to surrender before the learned Court within three weeks from the date of receipt of the order and on the event of his surrender / arrest, he shall be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/- (Twenty-Five Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount of each to the satisfaction of learned Judicial Magistrate, 1st Class, Hazaribagh, in connection with Bishnugarh P.S Case No. 77/2025, subject to the condition as laid down under Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

7. This Anticipatory Bail Application is accordingly allowed and disposed of.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.