( 2026:JHHC:10731 ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 2505 of 2026 Ashok Mahto @ Ashok Kumar @ Ashok Kr. Mahto son of Ratan Mahto … … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand … … Opp. Party --- CORAM :HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANUBHA RAWAT CHOUDHARY --- For the Petitioner : Mr. A.K. Sahani, Advocate For the Opp. Party : Mr. Rakesh Kumar Sinha, APP --- 03/15.04.2026 Heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in custody in connection with Bundu P.S. Case No. 4 of 2023, corresponding to S.T. No. 290 of 2023 for the offences registered under Sections 302/34 of IPC, pending in the court of learned Additional Judicial Commissioner-VII-cum-Special Judge, CBI (AHD Scam), Ranchi. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in custody since 08.01.2023. He has further submitted that out of 13 charge sheeted witnesses, 9 witnesses have already been examined and a couple of them have not fully supported the prosecution case. He has submitted that bail application of the petitioner was earlier rejected vide order dated 02.05.2024 in B.A. No. 559 of 2024. 4. Learned counsel for the opposite party-State has opposed the prayer and has submitted that there is direct allegation against the petitioner. However, he submits that the trial may be expedited. 5. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties and considering the fact that the bail application of the petitioner was rejected on merit earlier and the trial is at advance stage, this court is not inclined to enlarge the petitioner above named on bail. Accordingly, prayer for bail of the petitioner above named is rejected. 6. Apparently, only official witnesses are remaining to be examined. 7. The State is directed to ensure that the witnesses be promptly produced before the court. ( 2026:JHHC:10731 ) 2 8. The learned counsel for the State is directed to communicate this order to the Superintendent of Police of the concerned District and also to the Director, Prosecution. 9. Let this order be communicated to the court concerned through FAX/e-mail. (Anubha Rawat Choudhary, J.) Dated: 15.04.2026 Uploaded on: 16.04.2026 Binit/