2026:JHHC:11982 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 1701 of 2026 Chatru Prajapati, aged about 68 years, Son of Late Bhola Mahto … … Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand through Vigilance, ACB … … Opposite Party --- CORAM :HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANUBHA RAWAT CHOUDHARY --- For the Petitioner : Mr. Niranjan Kumar, Advocate For the Opp. Party-State : Mr. Sumeet Gododia, Advocate : Mr. Ritesh Kumar Gupta, Advocate : Mr. Nilohit Choubey, Advocate --- 07/23.04.2026 1. Heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in custody since 06.12.2025 in connection with A.C.B. Hazaribagh P.S. Case No.11 of 2025, for the alleged offence registered under Sections 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act and under Section 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code pending in the court of learned ADJ-II-cum-Special Judge, Vigilance (ACB), Hazaribagh. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner claims to be the owner of the property which has been sold in the present case and it has been alleged that it was forest land. He has submitted that the petitioner claims title over the property by virtue hukumnama dated 11.10.1929 and zamabandi was opened in the name of the petitioner and rent was also paid to the State. He has further submitted that he had executed power of attorney in favor of the co- accused on 19.04.2011 and ultimately the property was sold through the power of attorney in the year 2011. 4. The learned counsel submits that the entire allegation in the First Information Report is in relation to connivance of the purchaser of the property with the government officials in the matter of mutation 2026:JHHC:11982 2 with respect to the property involved in this case and other properties also. He has submitted that no specific role has been assigned so far as the petitioner is concerned except that the petitioner had sold the property. The learned counsel has also submitted that the power of attorney holder has been enlarged on bail by this Court in B.A. No. 1134 of 2026. 5. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the opposite party-State has opposed the prayer. However, no specific role, regarding the mutation which is the basis for institution of the case, has been mentioned so far as the petitioner is concerned. Learned counsel has also submitted that the petitioner could not have sold the land as the land was forest land. 6. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties and considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances and no specific role has been mentioned in the counter affidavit with respect to the petitioner except that he has sold the property which was forest land through registered deed executed by power of attorney and power of attorney holder has already been enlarged on bail by this Court and considering the custody of the petitioner since 06.12.2025, the petitioner is directed to be enlarged on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 25,000/- (Rs. Twenty five thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned ADJ-II-cum-Special Judge, Vigilance (ACB), Hazaribagh in connection with A.C.B. Hazaribagh P.S. Case No. 11 of 2025 on the following conditions: (i) One of the bailors would be the present pairvikar of the petitioner. (ii) The other bailor should be his close relative. (iii) The petitioner will attend the court on each and every date and on account of his single default, the learned court shall cancel the bail bond furnished by the petitioner. (iv) The petitioner will deposit a self-attested copy of his Aadhar Card along with his mobile number before the 2026:JHHC:11982 3 learned court which he will not change during the pendency of the case without prior permission of the court. (v) The petitioner shall fully co-operate with the proceedings before the learned court below. 7. The instant bail application is allowed with the aforesaid conditions. 8. Let a copy of this order along with a copy of the affidavit filed with the bail petition be communicated to the court concerned through ‘FAX/E-mail’. (Anubha Rawat Choudhary, J.) 23.04.2026 Rakesh/- Uploaded on:-27.04.2026