( 2026:JHHC:134 ) -1- B.A. No. 11788 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 11788 of 2025 Santosh Kumar Singh, aged about 55 years, son of Kedar Nath Singh, resident of Sargara, P.O. & P.S. Haidarnagar, District- Palamau, State- Jharkhand … Petitioner -Versus- The State of Jharkhand through A.C.B. (Vigilance) … Opposite Party ----- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR DWIVEDI ----- For the Petitioner : Mr. R.S. Mazumdar, Sr. Advocate For the ACB : Mr. Vineet Kumar Vashistha, Spl.P.P. ----- 02/06.01.2026 Heard learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioner and learned counsel appearing for the ACB. 2. The petitioner is seeking regular bail in connection with A.C.B. P.S. Case No.09 of 2025, corresponding to Vigilance Case No.09 of 2025, registered for the offence under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, pending in the Court of the learned Special Judge, Vigilance Act, Palamau. 3. Mr. R.S. Mazumdar, learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner happened to be the Head Clerk of Hazaribagh Zila Parishad. He further submits that the allegations are made that certain amount from the bill of the contractor has been deducted by the petitioner and when the said amount was demanded by the contractor, the petitioner demanded Rs.65,000/- and he was arrested along with Rs.65,000/-. He then submits that the petitioner is in custody since 06.11.2025. He next submits that now charge-sheet has been submitted. He also submits that he has got instruction if the petitioner will be granted regular bail, he will not tamper with any evidence. ( 2026:JHHC:134 ) -2- B.A. No. 11788 of 2025 4. Mr. Vineet Kumar Vashistha, learned counsel appearing for the ACB opposed the prayer and submits that from the possession of the petitioner, the sum of Rs.65,000/- has been recovered. 5. Although the allegations are made of demanding bribe and recovery is also there, however, the petitioner is in custody since 06.11.2025 and it has been pointed out that now charge-sheet has been submitted and it has also been pointed out that the petitioner will not tamper with any evidence, if he will be granted regular bail. In that view of the matter, I am inclined to grant regular bail to the petitioner. 6. Accordingly, the above-named petitioner is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/- (Twenty Five Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Special Judge, Vigilance Act, Palamau in connection with A.C.B. P.S. Case No.09 of 2025, corresponding to Vigilance Case No.09 of 2025. (Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi, J.) Dated: 6th January, 2026 Ajay/