2026:JHHC:8239 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.2330 of 2026 ----- Ashish Kumar @ Aashish Kumar, son of Muneshwar Mahto @ Bhuneshwar Mahto, resident of Madhuliya Dhab, PO and PS Barkagaon, District Hazaribagh … Petitioner(s). Versus The State of Jharkhand … Opposite Party(s). CORAM : SRI ANANDA SEN, J. ------ For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. Hemant Kr. Shikarwar, Advocate For the State : Ms. Mohua Palit, APP …...... 02 /24.03.2026: This bail application has been filed by the petitioner under Sections 483 & 484 of BNSS, 2023 wherein, prayer has been made for grant of bail as he is in custody for allegedly committing offence punishable under Sections 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. 2. Heard, learned counsel for the petitioner, learned counsel for the State and have also gone through the impugned order. 3. Learned APP opposes the prayer for bail. 4. Allegation against this petitioner is of sexually exploiting the minor victim girl, as a result of which she got pregnant. 5. In view of direct allegation against this petitioner that he has entered into sexual relationship with the girl aged about 14 ½ years on the false pretext of marriage, at this stage, I am not inclined to grant privilege of bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, the prayer for bail of the petitioner in connection with Barkagaon 2026:JHHC:8239 2 PS Case 131 of 2025 (POCSO Case No. 67 of 2025), pending in the Court of learned A.D.J. III cum Special Judge, POCSO Act, Hazaribagh stands rejected. 6. Accordingly, this bail application is dismissed. 7. The petitioner is at liberty to renew his prayer for grant of bail, after examination of the victim girl. (ANANDA SEN, J.) 24.03.2026 Tanuj/CP-3 Uploaded on 26.03.2026