2026:JHHC:9557` IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI Criminal Appeal (S.J) No.587 of 2025 ---- Ajay Kumar Mahto, aged about 48 years, son of Balram Mahto, resident of Village - Indkata, P.O Jamid, P.S Chakradharpur, District West Singhbhum, Jharkhand …. …. Appellant(s) -Versus- 1. The State of Jharkhand 2. Tony Premraj Toppo, son of Late Fransis Toppo, District Education Officer, West Singhbhum, Chaibasa, Presently resident at Jarika Umbul, Khapparsai, Near Central Resham Board, P.O and P.S. Chaibasa, District West …. …. Respondent(s) ---- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR ---- For the Appellant : Mr. Manoj Tondon, Adv. For the State : Mr. Suraj Deo Munda, A.P.P For the Informant : Mr. Afsar Raza, Adv. ---- 07/Dated: 06th April, 2026 1. Heard the parties. 2. The present appeal has been filed under Section 14-A of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. 3. The present appeal has been filed against the order dated 02.06.2025 passed by learned Vacation Judge, West Singhbhum at Chaibasa in A.B.P No.91 of 2025, in connection with SC/ST P.S. Chaibasa Case No.03 of 2025, for the offence under Sections 132, 351(2) & 352 of the B.N.S and Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by which the prayer for anticipatory bail of the appellant have been rejected. 4. It appears that the F.I.R has been lodged by the District Education Officer, West Singhbhum, Chaibasa against its own subordinate i.e., the teacher against whom, departmental proceeding is going on. 5. Learned counsel for the appellant has submitted that at best it is a service dispute and the alleged appellant is the controller. It is nothing but misuse of the protective provision of the SC/ST (PoA) Act. On the above basis, the prayer for bail has been made. 6. Learned counsel for the State and the victim have opposed the prayer for bail. 2026:JHHC:9557 Page No.2 Criminal Appeal (S.J) No.587 of 2025 7. Considering the nature of the dispute and the status of the parties, I am inclined to grant the privilege of anticipatory bail to the appellant. Accordingly, the appellant, named above, is directed to surrender in the trial court within four weeks from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order, and in the event of his arrest or surrender, he shall be enlarged on anticipatory bail, on his furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rs. Ten Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of learned Special Judge (SC/ST Act), at Chaibasa in connection with SC/ST P.S. Chaibasa Case No.03 of 2025, on the conditions as laid down under Section 482 of the B.N.S.S, 2023. Further, the appellant(s) will submit self-attested photocopy of his/her/their Aadhaar Card(s) and also submit his/her/their mobile number(s) before the learned trial court which he/she/they will always keep active and will not change it without prior permission of the court, till conclusion of the case. 8. In the result, the present criminal appeal stands allowed and accordingly, disposed of. (Rajesh Kumar, J.) Dated: 06th April, 2026 Raja/- Uploaded on 07.04.2026