2026:JHHC:13096 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI Criminal Appeal (S.J.) No.530 of 2025 ---- Ranjeet Munda aged about 30 years, S/o Birsnath Munda, Resident of Vilage – Koenartoli Sato, P.O.+P.S.- Bishunpur, District – Gumla (Jharkhand). …. …. Appellant Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand 2. Akil Munda, son of late Kandru Munda, Resident of Koinar Tola, P.O.+P.S.- Bishunpur, District – Gumla, Jharkhand …. …. Respondents ---- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR ---- For the Appellant : Mr. K.S. Nanda, Adv. For the State : Mr. Saket Kumar, A.P.P. For the Respondent No.2 : Mrs. Sunita Kumari, Amicus Curiae ---- 08/Dated: 04th May, 2026 1. Heard learned counsel for the appellant, learned counsel for the State and learned Amicus Curiae. 2. The appeal has been filed against the impugned order dated 15.05.2025 passed in Misc. Criminal Application No.439 of 2025 by the learned Additional Sessions Judge-I-cum-Special Judge, Gumla in connection with Bishunpur P.S. Case No.01 of 2011 corresponding to G.R. Case No.04 of 2025, registered for the offence under Sections 147, 148, 149, 302, 307, 324, 326, 429, 436, 427 and 452 of the Indian Penal Code. The case is presently pending in the court of the learned Additional Sessions Judge-I-cum-Special Judge, Gumla. 3. It has been submitted by the learned counsel for the appellant that the appellant is in custody since 06.12.2024. Referring to some of the witnesses, it has been submitted that no substantial material has been come against this appellant. On the above basis, the prayer for regular bail has been made. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State has opposed the prayer for bail. 2026:JHHC:13096 Page | 2 Criminal Appeal (S.J.) No.530 of 2025 5. Learned Amicus Curiae has submitted that the incident is of the year 2011 and this applicant had fled away and he has surrendered after 13 years and now he is facing the split-up trial and the other members who had faced the trial had already been convicted. Thus, appellant’s participation in the trial is doubtful. 6. Having heard the learned counsel for the parties and from perusal of the record, it appears that it is case of double murder. The trial has to be split up because the appellant has fled away out of the State. 7. Considering the above fact and the fact that the eight charge-sheeted witnesses have already been examined, I am not inclined to enlarge the appellant on bail, at this stage. Accordingly, the present criminal appeal stands rejected. 8. However, the trial court is directed to expedite the trial and conclude the same as early as possible preferably within six months. 9. The assistance given by Mrs. Sunita Kumari, learned amicus curiae, is highly appreciable. 10. Let this order be communicated to the learned Member Secretary, JHALSA, Ranchi, for the purpose of remuneration to be paid to the learned Amicus Curiae as permissible. (Rajesh Kumar, J.) Dated: 04th May, 2026 Amar/- Uploaded