2026:JHHC:8021 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.2303 of 2026 Satyabhan Manjhi, Aged about 60 years, S/o – Late Lalman Manjhi R/o – Matwari Devri Tola, P.O- Belhari Chowki, P.S- Kothra, District – Katni (Madhya Pradesh). … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand … Opposite Party Coram: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP KUMAR SRIVASTAVA For the Petitioner : Mr. Pratiush Lala, Adv. For the State : Mr. Rakesh Ranjan, A.P.P. Order No.02/Dated- 23.03.2026 1. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 2. The petitioner has been made an accused in connection with N.D.P.S. Case No.06 of 2023 arising out of G.R.P.S. Dhanbad P.S. Case No.70 of 2023 registered for offences punishable under Sections 20(b)ii(C), 21(b), 22(b) of the N.D.P.S. Act, 1985, which is pending in the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge-VI, Dhanbad. 3. As per F.I.R., there is recovery of 42 Kgs. of Ganja from the joint possession of petitioner along with other co-accused persons during patrolling by the police personnel on Platform Nos.2 and 3 of Dhanbad Railway Station. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that petitioner is innocent and has committed no offence at all rather he has been falsely implicated in this case. It is further submitted that earlier regular bail application of the petitioner has been rejected by a Coordinate Bench of this Court in B.A. No.1404 of 2025 vide order dated 19.02.2025 but specifically considering the custody period of the other co-accused persons and since more than two years of slow motion of trial, the other co-accused persons have been granted bail by a Coordinate Bench of this Court in B.A. No. 9682 of 2025 vide order dated 14.11.2025. Petitioner is in judicial custody since 14.08.2023. Petitioner has also no criminal antecedent. Petitioner undertakes to cooperate in the trial of 2026:JHHC:8021 the case and abide by all terms and conditions which may be imposed. Therefore, the petitioner may be admitted to bail during the pendency of trial. 5. On the other hand, learned A.P.P. appearing for the State has opposed the prayer for regular bail of the petitioner but fairly submitted that other co-accused persons have been granted bail on the ground of period of custody. 6. It appears that on 12.08.2023, Dhanbad Rail Police apprehended petitioner along with others at Platform Nos.2 and 3 of the Dhanbad Railway Station. On search, total 42 kgs. of cannabis were recovered from the joint possession of the petitioner and other co-accused persons. It further appears that the other co-accused Ramesh Gawatia and Gaurav Bai have been granted bail by a Coordinate Bench of this Court, considering the fact that out of 14 charge-sheet witnesses only 6 charge- sheet witnesses have been examined. This position is still prevailing. Learned counsel for the petitioner has also produced the status report of the case dated 18.03.2026 which shows that only 6 witnesses have been examined by the prosecution and still 6 witnesses are remaining for examination. The case of the present petitioner stands on similar footing as those of the other co-accused persons, who have been granted bail by a Coordinate Bench of this Court as noted above. Petitioner is in judicial custody since 14.08.2023. 7. Considering the above facts and circumstances of the case and the period of custody of the petitioner and slow motion of trial, I feel inclined to admit the petitioner on bail. Therefore, the prayer for bail of the petitioner is allowed and the appellant is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Additional Sessions Judge-VI, Dhanbad in connection with G.R.P.S. Dhanbad P.S. Case No.70 of 2023 subject to the conditions:- 2026:JHHC:8021 (1) Petitioner shall remain physically present on each and every date till the conclusion of the trial of this case unless prevented from sufficient cause to the satisfaction of the learned trial court. (2) Petitioner shall not indulge in any or other similar offence till the conclusion of the trial. (3) Petitioner shall not indulge in tampering with the prosecution evidences or influencing the prosecution witnesses. (Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, J.) Dated: 23th March, 2026 Sachin/ Uploaded on: 24/03/2026