2026:JHHC:20023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI Criminal Appeal (S.J.) No.910 of 2025 ---- 1. Philip Horo aged about 17 Years, son of Kunwar Horo, Resident of Village Ulihatu Chhotka Toli, P.O.- Amma Pakna, P.S. Rania District - Khunti, through his natural guardian (mother) Piji Horo, wife of Kunwar Horo, Resident of Village – Ulihatu Chhotka Toli, P.O. Amma Pakna, P.S. Rania, District Khunti. 2. Julsan Kandulana aged about 17 Years, son of Anil Kandulana, Resident of Village Ulihatu Chhotka Toli, P.O. Ammapakhna, P.S. Rania District Khunti, through his natural guardian (mother) Nilmuni Kandulna, wife of Anil Kandulana, Resident of Village - Ulihatu Chhotka Toli, P.O. Ammapakhna, P.S. Rania, District Khunti. …. …. Appellants Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand 2. ‘X’, Father of victim, village ‘X’, P.O.+P.S.- Rania, District – Khunti …. …. Respondents ---- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR ---- For the Appellants : Mr. Ritesh Kumar, Adv. For the State : Mr. Rakesh Ranjan, A.P.P. For the Respondent No.2 : Ms. Sushmita Kumari, Amicus Curiae ---- 06/Dated: 07th July, 2026 1. Heard learned counsel for the appellants, learned counsel for the State and learned Amicus Curiae. 2. The present criminal appeal has been filed for grant of regular bail by challenging the impugned order dated 02.09.2025 passed by the learned District & Additional Sessions Judge-I, Khunti in Misc. Criminal Application No.354 of 2025 in connection with Children Case No.02 of 2025 arising out of Rania P.S. Case No.04 of 2025, registered for the offence under Sections 70(2), 109(1), 115(2), 126(2) and 127(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and under Sections 4 & 8 of the POCSO Act. The case is presently pending in the court of the learned District & Additional Sessions Judge-I, Khunti. 3. The juveniles who are in custody since 24.02.2025 have come through their mothers who are ready and willing to keep both the juveniles under their proper care and custody. It is a case of gang rape committed by 18 minor boys upon the five minor prosecutrix/victims. The medical evidence also supports the allegation of rape. 4. It has been submitted by the learned counsel for the appellants that the juveniles have remained in custody for one and a half year and some of the 2026:JHHC:20023 Page | 2 Cri. App. (S.J.) No.910 of 2025 witnesses have not identified these appellants. It has further been submitted that out of 22 charge-sheeted witnesses, 10 witnesses have already been examined. 5. Learned counsel for the State and the learned Amicus Curiae have opposed the prayer for grant of regular bail. 6. Considering the nature of crime and the medical evidence, I am not inclined to enlarge the appellants on bail. Accordingly, the present criminal appeal stands rejected. 7. However, the trial court is directed to expedite the trial and conclude the same as early as possible. (Rajesh Kumar, J.) Dated: 07th July, 2026 Amar/- Uploaded on 09.07.2026