( 2026:JHHC:4726 ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 11025 of 2025 ------ Manik Bauri, aged about 35 years, son of Prahlad Bauri, r/o Vill-Dabar, P.O.-Nala, Dist.-Jamtara (Jharkhand) … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand … Opposite Party ------ CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY ------ For the Petitioner : Mr. Sahay G. Piyush, Advocate For the State : Mr. V.S. Sahay, Addl. P.P. ------ Order No.03 Dated- 18.02.2026 Heard the parties. The petitioner has moved this Court for grant of bail in connection with Nala P.S. Case No.11 of 2025 (Special POCSO Case No. 21 of 2025) registered for the offences punishable under sections 103(1)/65(2)/238 of the B.N.S., 2023 and under Section 4/6 of POCSO Act. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner committed aggravated sexual assault upon the minor victim girl of 10 years and also her murder. It is further submitted that the allegations against the petitioner are all false and there is delay in lodging of the FIR and the petitioner has solely been implicated in this case on the basis of suspicion. Hence, it is submitted that the petitioner be admitted to bail. The learned Addl. P.P. on the other hand vehemently opposes the prayer for bail and submits that trial is at an advance stage and the witnesses so far examined have supported the case of the prosecution. It is then submitted by learned Addl. P.P. that in view of the overwhelming evidence in the record, there is every chance of the petitioner absconding and tampering with evidence if released on bail. Hence, it is submitted that the petitioner ought not be admitted to bail. Considering the serious nature of allegation against the petitioner and the chance of the petitioner absconding and tampering with evidence if released on bail, this Court is of the considered view that this is not a fit case where the abovenamed petitioner be admitted to bail at this stage. Accordingly, the prayer for bail of the abovenamed petitioner is rejected. (Anil Kumar Choudhary, J.) 18.02.2026 Sonu/Gunjan-