2026:JHHC:16250 --1-- A.B.A. No. 2721 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND, RANCHI A.B.A. No. 2721 of 2026 ---- 1. Ranjit Mahto, aged about 50 years, son of Muchiram Mahto, resident of village – Basudih, PO – Landupdih, PS – Sonahatu, District – Ranchi 2. Yogeshwar Mahto, aged about 71 years, son of Munshi Mahto, resident of village – Basudih, PO – Landupdih, PS – Sonahatu, District – Ranchi 3. Panchanan Mahto, aged about 54 years, son of Munshi Mahto, resident of village – Basudih, PO – Landupdih, PS – Sonahatu, District – Ranchi 4. Ashtami Devi, aged about 54 years, wife of Panchanan Mahto, resident of village – Basudih, PO – Landupdih, PS – Sonahatu, District – Ranchi 5. Bina Devi @ Mina Devi, aged about 50 years, wife of Ranjit Mahto, resident of village – Basudih, PO – Landupdih, PS – Sonahatu, District – Ranchi 6. Rupan Kumari, aged about 27 years, wife of Manoj Kumar Mahto, resident of village – Basudih, PO – Landupdih, PS – Sonahatu, District – Ranchi .... Petitioners -- Versus -- The State of Jharkhand .... Opposite Party ---- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR DWIVEDI --- For the Petitioners :- Mr. Anjani Nandan, Advocate For the State :- Mr. Satish Prasad, Advocate ---- 02/08.06.2026 Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioners as well as the learned counsel appearing for the State. 2. The petitioners are apprehending their arrest in connection 2026:JHHC:16250 --2-- A.B.A. No. 2721 of 2026 with Sonahatu P.S. Case No.15 of 2025, for the alleged offences registered under Sections 126(2), 115(2), 118(2), 109, 118(1), 33, 352, 351(2) and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 3 and 4 of Prevention of Witch (Daain) Practices Act, 2001 pending in the Court of learned Judicial Magistrate, First Class-XXX, Ranchi. 3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submits that the present case is counterblast of Sonahatu P.S. Case No.14 of 2025 which has been lodged by the wife of petitioner No.5 and thereafter the present case has been falsely lodged on 5th March, 2025. He further submits that in both the cases the allegations are there of witch (daain) practices. He then submits that the petitioners have got no criminal antecedent as disclosed in paragraph No.9 of the petition. On these grounds, he submits that anticipatory bail may kindly be granted. 4. Learned counsel appearing for the State opposed the prayer and submits that the allegations are there of assault. 5. Considering that the earlier case was lodged by wife of petitioner No.5 being Sonahatu P.S. Case No.14 of 2025 and thereafter the present case has been lodged for the alleged occurrence of 2nd March, 2025 and the present case has been lodged on 5th March, 2025 that is after delay of three days. In the attending facts and circumstances of this case, I am inclined to provide anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 6. Accordingly, the petitioners, above named, are hereby 2026:JHHC:16250 --3-- A.B.A. No. 2721 of 2026 directed to surrender before the learned Court within three weeks from today, and in the event of their surrender/arrest, the petitioners, above named, shall be released on bail, on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand) each, with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of learned Judicial Magistrate, First Class-XXX, Ranchi in connection with Sonahatu P.S. Case No.15 of 2025, subject to the conditions as laid down under Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. (Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi, J.) Dated 08.06.2026 Sangam/