Neutral Citation No. ( 2026:JHHC:4086 ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI A. B. A. No. 1359 of 2020 --- Pradeep Kumar son of Shri Iswar Ram residing at Janakpuri, Panki Road, Post Medininagar, PS Medininagar, District Palamau … … Petitioner Versus The Union of India through Central Bureau of Investigation … … Opposite Party --- CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RONGON MUKHOPADHYAY --- For the Petitioner : Mrs. Ritu Kumar, Advocate For the Opposite Party-CBI : Mr. Deepak Kumar Bharti, Advocate --- 25/06.02.2026 Heard Mrs. Ritu Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Deepak Kumar Bharti, learned counsel for the CBI. The petitioner is apprehending his arrest in connection with RC 04(A)/2013-R arising out of Vigilance Case No. P.E. No. 04(A)/2012-R registered for the offences under Sections 120B r/w Section 420, 468 and 471 of I.P.C. and Section 13 (2) r/w Section 13 (1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. It has been alleged that the officials of JPSC along with Sri Dhiraj Kumar, representative of M/s. Global Informatics, Ranchi had entered into criminal conspiracy among themselves and in pursuance thereof, the public servants in strict abuse of their respective official positions, dishonestly and fraudulently manipulated/allowed to manipulate the merit list, assessment charts etc. of the examination/interview to extend undue benefit to their preferred candidates. It has been submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that on completion of investigation, charge-sheet has been submitted by the CBI and some of the co-accused persons have been granted anticipatory bail vide A.B.A. No. 3349 of 2022 and its analogous cases. Learned counsel adds that the petitioner has been implicated primarily on account of the allegation that the petitioner is a beneficiary to the manipulation conducted by the JPSC in connivance with the petitioner and other accused persons. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the petitioner on being successful in JET 2006 was appointed as the Assistant Professor in the department of Zoology at GLA College, Daltonganj and since then he has an unblemished career. -2- Mr. Deepak Kumar Bharti, learned counsel for the CBI has opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail of the petitioner and has submitted that the exact role of the petitioner has surfaced in course of investigation which strengthen the fact that the petitioner had illegally secured appointment by manipulation and by conniving with the JPSC officials. Admittedly, on completion of investigation CBI has submitted the charge-sheet and some of the co-accused persons have been granted anticipatory bail vide A.B.A. No. 3349 of 2022 and its analogous cases. On consideration of gamut of allegations and the fact that the charge-sheet has already been submitted by the CBI and the fact that some of the co-accused persons have been granted anticipatory bail vide A.B.A. No. 3349 of 2022 and its analogous cases as noted above, I am inclined to extend privilege of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, the petitioner above named is directed to surrender in the court below within four weeks and pray for bail, and in that event, he shall be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Ten Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of learned Special Judge, CBI, Ranchi in connection with RC 04(A)/2013- R arising out of Vigilance Case No. P.E. No. 04(A)/2012-R, subject to the conditions as laid down under Section 438 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This application stands allowed. Pending I.A., if any stands closed. (Rongon Mukhopadhyay, J) R. Shekhar Cp 3 06th February 2026 Uploaded on 16.02.2026