2026:JHHC:19868 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 4337 of 2026 Vikash Kumar Mandal @ Bikash Kumar Mandal @ Bikosh Mandol, son of Anil Kumar Mandal … … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand … … Opposite Party With B.A. No. 5054 of 2026 Ravi Gope, son of Arjun Gope … … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand … … Opposite Party --- CORAM: HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANUBHA RAWAT CHOUDHARY --- For the Petitioners : Mr. Ashim Kr. Sahani, Advocate For the State : Mr. Azeemuddin, APP [in B.A. No. 4337 of 2026] : Mr. Naveen Kr. Gaunjhu, APP [in B.A. No. 5054 of 2026] --- 05/07.07.2026 Heard the learned counsels appearing on behalf of the parties. 2. Both these cases arise out of the same First Information Report and therefore, they have been tagged and taken up together. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners are in custody since 20.09.2025 in connection with Kharsawan P.S. Case No. 67 of 2025, registered under Sections 96 and 137 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, charges framed under sections 96, 137(2), 70(2) and 351(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and sections 4 and 6 of POCSO Act in POCSO Case No. 30 of 2025, now pending in the court of learned Principal District and Sessions Judge at Seraikella, Seraikella-Kharsawan. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioners further submits that as per the First Information Report, the minor victim was travelling with the family members and she went away with the co-accused namely, Akash Lohar and it was suspected that Akash Lohar might have made physical relationship with the victim. 5. Learned counsel further submits that during investigation, said 2026:JHHC:19868 2 Akash Lohar and the victim were found together in Railway colony. He submits that so far as these two petitioners are concerned, though they are not named in the First Information Report, but their name has transpired during investigation. He submits that the petitioners are in custody since 20.09.2025 and charge-sheet has been submitted on 18.11.2025, but no witness has been examined so far. 6. The learned counsel for the State in both the cases have opposed the prayer for bail and have submitted that the statement of the victim has been recorded under section 183 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and also under section 180 of BNSS. They submit that the victim has made serious allegation of commission of rape upon her by all the three persons including the present two petitioners. 7. After hearing the learned counsels for the parties and considering the statement of the victim recorded under section 183 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and also under section 180 of BNSS and considering the fact that there is direct allegation of commission of rape and victim was found only 15 years of age, this Court is not inclined to enlarge the petitioners on bail and hence, these bail applications are rejected. 8. However, there can be no reason for non-production of witnesses. 9. Learned counsels for the State are directed to ensure that the witnesses are promptly produced before the court and the FSL report be also forwarded to the court concerned so that the trial is expedited. 10. Learned counsels for the State are directed to communicate this order to the SFSL, Ranchi, Superintendent of police of the concerned district and also to the Director, Prosecution to ensure compliance. 11. Let a copy of this order be communicated to the learned court concerned through “FAX/email”. (Anubha Rawat Choudhary, J.) Date of Order:07.07.2026 Pankaj Date of Uploading:08.07.2026