Neutral Citation No. ( 2026:JHHC:16202 ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI A. B. A. No. 2687 of 2026 Tirathnath Akash, aged about 33 years, son of Kamdeo Mahto, resident of village Tupkadih, P.S. Jaridih, P.O. Jaridih Bazar SO, District-Bokaro, Jharkhand ...... … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand .…. … Opposite Party -------- CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR DWIVEDI For the Petitioner :Mr. Vishal Kr. Rai, Advocate Mr. Harsh Ladia, Advocate For the State : Mr. S.K. Tiwari, Spl.P.P. 02/ 08.06.2026: Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State. 2. The petitioner is apprehending his arrest in connection with Jamtara P.S. Case No. 01 of 2026, registered under sections 196, 352, 356(2), 353 of the BNS, 2023 and section 67 of I.T. Act, pending in the Court of learned Special Judge, Cyber Crime, Jamtara. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner happens to be a journalist and runs a channel namely Loktantra-19. He next submits that only allegation is made that the petitioner defamed by saying something against a sitting minister of the State of Jharkhand. He next submits that four cases have been lodged against the petitioner for the said journalist activities. On these grounds, he submits that the petitioner may kindly be provided privilege of anticipatory bail. 4. Learned counsel for the State opposes the prayer and submits that allegations are there against the petitioner of defaming the name of one of a siting minister of the State of Jharkhand. 5. Considering that only allegation against the petitioner is that petitioner has stated that due to political backing of the father of the Minister, he is holding the health ministry and apart from that there is no allegation Neutral Citation No. ( 2026:JHHC:16202 ) against the petitioner. The petitioner happens to be a journalist running a channel namely Loktantra-19. 6. In the attending facts and circumstances of the case, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, the above named, petitioner is directed to surrender before the learned court within three weeks from today and in the event of his surrender / arrest, the petitioner shall be released on bail, on furnishing bail bonds of Rs. 25,000/- (twenty five thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of learned Special Judge, Cyber Crime, Jamtara, in connection with Jamtara P.S. Case No. 01 of 2026, subject to conditions as laid down under Section 482 (2) of B.N.S.S, 2023. Dt.08.06.2026 ( Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi, J.) satyarthi-