2026:JHHC:6391 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.213 of 2026 ------ Astik Mandal aged about 23 years Son of Balram Mandal resident of Village- Jaspur Burudih, P.O.+P.S. Gamharia, District- Seraikella. … … Petitioner(s) Versus The State of Jharkhand. … … Opposite Party(s) ------ CORAM : SRI ANANDA SEN, J. ------ For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. A.K. Choudhary, Advocate For the State : Mr. Achinto Sen, A.P.P. ----- 03/ 11th March, 2026 1. This bail application has been filed under Sections 483 and 484 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 wherein, prayer has been made for grant of bail as the petitioner is in custody for allegedly committing offence punishable under Sections 87/137(2) of the B.N.S and Section 4/6 of the POCSO Act. 4. Heard, learned counsel for the petitioner, learned counsel for the State and perused the statement of the victim girl recorded under Sections 180 and 183 of the B.N.S.S. 5. Learned A.P.P. opposes the prayer for bail. 6. According to the F.I.R., when the informant woke up in the morning, he saw his daughter aged about 17 years is not in the house. Search was made, which yield in no result. He further alleged that the petitioner had enticed and kidnapped his daughter with intent to marry her. 7. From the impugned order, it is clear that the victim was recovered, though she had initially given a statement under Section 180 B.N.S.S. supporting the fact, but in her statement recorded under Section 183 of the B.N.S.S., she did not support the allegation of kidnapping. 9. The girl is aged about 17 years and this petitioner is aged about 23 years. 10. Considering the fact that the victim did not support the fact of kidnapping in her statement recorded under Section 183 of the B.N.S.S. which is apparent from the impugned order and considering the age of the victim and the petitioner, I am inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, the petitioner, named above, is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) with 2026:JHHC:6391 2 two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Principal District & Sessions Judge, Seraikella in connection with Gamharia P.S. Case no. 99 of 2025 in POCSO Case No. 25 of 2025 subject to the condition that one of the bailors should be a close relative of the petitioner having sufficient landed property in his/her own name within the State of Jharkhand. (ANANDA SEN, J.) 11.03.2026 Amar/CP-3 Uploaded on:-13.03.2026