Neutral Citation No. ( 2026:JHHC:10794-DB ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI Cr. Appeal (DB) No. 446 of 2026 Santosh Kumar Sao @ Santosh Kumar, son of Tikan Saw, resident of village: Kandaber, PO: Keredari, PS: Keredari, District: Hazaribagh. ... Appellant Versus The State of Jharkhand … Respondent --- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RONGON MUKHOPADHYAY HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP KUMAR SRIVASTAVA For the Appellant : Mr. Lalan Kr. Singh, Advocate For the State : Spl.P.P. --- 02/16.04.2026 Heard the learned counsel for the respective sides. This appeal is directed against the order dated 19.02.2026, passed in Bail Petition No. 114/2026, arising out of Keredari P.S. Case No. 17/2026 by the learned Sessions Judge, Hazaribagh, whereby and whereunder, the prayer for bail of the appellant has been rejected. It has been alleged that a mob of 70-80 persons led by an Ex- MLA of Barkagaon had entered into the NTPC mines and had forcibly stopped the work. When the NTPC officials tried to prevent such act, they were also subjected to assault and on account of the obstruction caused there was 5000 tones of coal which could not be excavated. Submission has been advanced by the learned counsel for the appellant that the allegations are general and omnibus in nature. It has also been submitted that in similar circumstances one of the co-accused Hari Saw has been granted bail by this Court in Criminal Appeal (DB) No. 416 of 2026. Learned counsel submits that the appellant is in custody since 30.01.2026. Learned Spl.P.P. has opposed the prayer for bail of the appellant and has submitted that the appellant has one criminal antecedent. However, considering the generality of allegations levelled against the appellant and the fact that one of the co-accused has been granted bail, as noted above, we while setting aside the order dated 19.02.2026, passed in Bail Petition No. 114/2026, arising out of Keredari P.S. Case No. 17/2026 by the learned Sessions Judge, Hazaribagh, direct the appellant be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Rs. Ten Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned J.M.F.C., Hazaribagh in connection with Keredari P.S. Case No. 17/2026. This appeal is allowed. (RONGON MUKHOPADHYAY, J.) (PRADEEP KUMAR SRIVASTAVA, J.) 16.04.2026 S.B. Uploaded on 17.04.2026 -2-