2026:JHHC:16852 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI Criminal Appeal (S.J.) No.65 of 2026 ---- Ramesh Kumar Sahu @ Ramesh Sahu, aged about 32 years, son of Kanilal Sahu, Resident of Baragain, P.O.-Lem, P.S.-Sadar, District – Ranchi. …. …. Appellant Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand 2. Gaytri Devi, wife of Raju Ram, aged about 51 years, Resident of Dr. Block, Q.No.-1, Near-R.M.C.H. Campus, P.O.+P.S.- Bariyatu, District – Ranchi. …. …. Respondents ---- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR ---- For the Appellant : Mr. Nitish Parth Sarthi, Adv. For the State : Mr. Anup Pawan Topno, A.P.P. For the Respondent No.2 : Mr. Sahid Khan, Adv. ---- 03/Dated: 11th June, 2026 1. The present appeal has been filed under Section 14-A of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. 2. Heard learned counsel for the appellant, learned counsel for the State and learned counsel for the Respondent No.2. 3. The appeal has been filed against the impugned order dated 04.12.2025 in A.B.P. No.3185 of 2025 passed by the learned A.J.C.-II-cum-Special Judge, SC/ST Act, Ranchi in connection with SC/ST P.S. Case No.61 of 2025, registered for the offence under Sections 126(2), 115(2), 352, 351(3) & 3(5) of the B.N.S. and under Section 3(1)(r)(s) of the SC/ST (PoA) Act. The case is presently pending in the court of the learned A.J.C.-II-cum-Special Judge, SC/ST Act, Ranchi. 4. Although Section 18 of the SC/ST (PoA) Act bars the grant of anticipatory bail, such embargo would not apply where no prima facie offence under the provisions of the Act is made out. 5. It has been submitted by the learned counsel for the appellant that it is nothing but a product of rivalry politics rather a land dispute exists between the two parties. It is further stated that the appellant has helped the other side and for helping the other side this false and frivolous case has been lodged against him. In fact, there is no cause of action rather as per the story disclosed, she had gone 2026:JHHC:16852 Page | 2 Criminal Appeal (S.J.) No.65 of 2026 herself to interfere between the two parties. On the above basis, the prayer for anticipatory bail has been made. 6. On the other hand, learned counsels for the State and respondent no.2 have vehemently opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail and it has been submitted that the alleged victim being the Pradesh Adhyaksh of the Valmiki Samaj had interfered in the scuffle between the parties and further allegation clearly disclose the commission of the offence under the SC/ST (PoA) Act and consequently Section 18 of the SC/ST (PoA) Act bars the jurisdiction of this Court from granting anticipatory bail. 7. Having heard the learned counsel for the parties and upon perusal of the records, it appears that the alleged victim had herself intervened in the dispute between the parties. The materials available on record prima facie suggest that she voluntarily entered into the altercation and, during the course thereof, may have sustained certain injuries. Prima facie, therefore, it does not appear that she was targeted or subjected to the alleged acts on account of her membership of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe community; rather, her involvement arose from her own intervention in the ongoing scuffle. 8. Considering the above facts, the appellant, above named, is directed to surrender in the court below within four weeks from the date of receipt/ production of the copy of this order and in the event of his arrest or surrender, he shall be enlarged on bail, on his furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Ten Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of learned A.J.C.-II-cum- Special Judge, SC/ST Act, Ranchi in connection with SC/ST P.S. Case No.61 of 2025 on the conditions as laid down under Section 482 B.N.S.S., 2023. Further, the appellant will submit self-attested photocopy of his Aadhaar Card and also submit his mobile number before the learned court below which he will always keep active and will not change it during pendency of this case without prior permission of the court. 9. In the result, the instant appeal stands allowed and disposed of. (Rajesh Kumar, J.) Dated: 11th June, 2026 Amar/- Uploaded on 15.06.2026