[2026:JHHC:20690] IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.5786 of 2026 ------ Ashok Mandal, aged about 52 years, S/o Late Gokhul Mandal, R/o- Village – Sapanpur, Turi Tola, Birajpur, P.S. & P.O- Barwadda, District- Dhanbad, Jharkhand .... .... …. Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand .... .... .... Opposite Party ------ CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY ------ For the Petitioner : Ms. Juhi Kumari, Advocate For the State : Ms. Bandana Sinha, Addl.P.P ------ Order No.03 Dated-13-07-2026 Heard the parties. The petitioner has been made accused in connection with Barwadda P.S. Case No.178 of 2025 corresponding to G.R. Case No.2576 of 2025 (S.T. Case No.528 of 2025) registered under Section 103 (1) of the B.N.S., 2023. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner has committed the murder of Kamlesh Mandal by assaulting him with an axe. It is submitted that the allegation against the petitioner is false. It is next submitted that the petitioner does not know as to how many witnesses have been examined during the trial. It is lastly submitted that the petitioner has been in custody since 19.07.2025. Hence it is submitted that the petitioner be released on bail. Learned Addl. P.P. appearing for the State vehemently opposes the prayer for bail and submits that keeping in view the direct nature of serious allegation against the petitioner of having committed the murder of Kamlesh Mandal, there is every chance of the petitioner absconding and tampering with the evidence if released on bail. It is, therefore, submitted that the petitioner ought not be released on bail at this stage. Considering the serious nature of allegation against the petitioner as well as the chance of his absconding and tampering with the evidence if released on bail, this Court is of the considered view that this is not a fit case where the above-named petitioner be released on bail. Accordingly, the prayer for bail of the above-named petitioner is rejected at this stage. (Anil Kumar Choudhary, J.) Dated-13.07.2026-Animesh/