2026:JHHC:7023 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 2008 of 2026 --------- Ashish Mahto @ Ashis Mahto @ Aashish Mahto, aged about 19 years, son of late Atul Mahto, resident of village Ichag, P.O. & P.S. Jhalda, District Purulia, West Bengal. ....Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand ....Opp. Party --------- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE DEEPAK ROSHAN --------- For the Petitioner : Mr. Sankalp Goswami, Advocate For the Opp. Party : Mr. Anup Pawan Topno, A.P.P. --------- 02/16.03.2026 Heard learned counsels for the parties. 2. The instant bail application has been preferred by the petitioner for grant of regular bail in connection with Special POCSO Case No. 40 of 2025, arising out Barlanga P.S. Case No. 17 of 2025, registered for the offences under Sections 96 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and later on charge-sheet was submitted under Sections 96 and 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, read with Section 4/6 of the POCSO Act, pending in the Court of learned Sessions Judge, Ramgarh. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that petitioner has been made accused in the instant case because the father of the victim was not happy with the friendship of the victim and the petitioner. Learned counsel further submits that charge-sheet has been submitted against the petitioner on 30.10.2025 and charge has also been framed. Petitioner has got no criminal antecedent. He further submits that petitioner is languishing in custody since 18.09.2025; as such, the petitioner may be enlarged on bail. He is ready to abide by every condition imposed by this court. 4. Learned A.P.P. for the State opposes the prayer for bail of the petitioner and submits that in para-44 of the case diary the victim girl has stated that the petitioner took her to Ranchi and thereafter, to Jhalda and Digha and on 17.09.2025, he committed rape upon the minor victim in the bathroom of Jhalda Railway Station. 2026:JHHC:7023 2 5. Looking to fact that there is direct allegation against the petitioner of committing rape upon the victim, who is a minor girl, I am not inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail at this stage. He may renew his prayer for bail after three months. 6. Accordingly, the instant application stands dismissed. (Deepak Roshan, J.) 16th March, 2026 kunal/- Uploaded on 18.03.2026