( 2026:JHHC:28230 ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 8623 of 2026 Ashok Lohra … … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand … … Opp. Party --- CORAM :HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANUBHA RAWAT CHOUDHARY --- For the Petitioner : Ms. Monalisa Singh, Advocate For the Opp. Party : Mr. Pankaj Kumar Mishra, APP --- 04/17.09.2026 Heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in custody in connection with S.T. No. 23 of 2026, corresponding to Gumla P.S. Case No. 351 of 2025, for the offences registered under Sections 64(1), 76, 115(2) and 351(2) of the B.N.S. 2023, pending in the court of learned Additional Sessions Judge-I-cum-Special Judge, Gumla. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in custody since 14.11.2025 and charge has been framed as back as on 05.02.2026, but no witness has been examined so far. 4. Learned counsel for the opposite party-State has opposed the prayer for bail and submits that there is direct allegation against the petitioner having committed forceful rape upon the victim who also happens to be the informant of the case. The victim is yet to be examined and therefore the petitioner may not be enlarged on bail. 5. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties and considering the direct allegation against the petitioner, this court is not inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail at this stage. Accordingly, prayer for bail of the petitioner is rejected. 6. However, there can be no reason for non-examination of the witness before the court. The State is directed to ensure that the witnesses are promptly produced before the court. 7. The learned counsel for the State is directed to communicate this order to the Director, Prosecution and to the Superintendent of Police of the concerned District to ensure compliance. ( 2026:JHHC:28230 ) 2 8. In case, the witnesses do not turn up, the petitioner may renew his prayer for bail after six months from today. 9. Let this order be communicated to the concerned court through FAX/e-mail. (Anubha Rawat Choudhary, J.) Dated: 17.09.2026 Uploaded on 19.09.2026 Binit/