2026:JHHC:16450 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND, RANCHI ---- A.B.A. No. 2922 of 2026 ---- Mukesh Patel, aged about 27 years, son of Umar Singh, resident of Village Ward No.1, Bhabhua, PO and PS Bhabhua, District Bhabhua, Bihar .... Petitioner -- Versus -- The State of Jharkhand .... Opposite Party ---- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR DWIVEDI --- For the Petitioner :- Mr. Prashant Kr. Rai, Advocate For the State :- Mr. P.K. Chatterjee, Advocate ---- 2/09.06.2026 Heard learned counsels for petitioner and for the State. 2. The petitioner is apprehending his arrest in connection with Balidih PS Case No.122 of 2025, for offence registered under section 291, 317(2), 3(5) of BNS, 2023 and Section 11(i)(d) of Animal Cruelty Act, 1960 and Sections 3,4 and 12 of Jharkhand Bovine Animal Slaughter Prohibition Act, 2005, pending in court of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bokaro. 3. Learned counsel for petitioner submits that the petitioner happened to be driver of the pick-up van and the allegations are there of carrying bovine animals. He also submits that on the instruction of the owner of the vehicle he was carrying the bovine animals. He next submits that the petitioner has got no criminal antecedent as disclosed in paragraph no.17 of the petition. According to him, the petitioner is earning his livelihood by way of 2026:JHHC:16450 2 driving the said vehicle. 4. Learned State counsel opposes prayer and submits that allegations are there of illegally carrying bovine animals on the said vehicle. 5. Considering that the petitioner is driver and it has been pointed out that the petitioner earns his livelihood by way of driving the said vehicle. Annexure-2 suggest that the bovine animals were purchased and further the petitioner has got no criminal antecedent as aforesaid, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to petitioner. 6. Accordingly, petitioner, above named, is hereby directed to surrender before learned court within three weeks from today, and in event of his surrender/arrest, petitioner, above named, shall be released on bail, on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand), with two sureties of like amount each, to satisfaction of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bokaro, in connection with Balidih PS Case No.122 of 2025, subject to the conditions as laid down under section 482(2) of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. ( Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi, J.) 09.06.2026 SI/