Neutral Citation No. (2026:JHHC:1657) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND, RANCHI A.B.A. No. 266 of 2026 ---- Prakash Mandal @ Prakash Kumar, aged about 28 years, S/o Mahabir Mandal, R/o vill- Sobranpur, P.O.- Sobranpur, P.S.- Khukhra, Dist.- Giridih, Jharkhand .... Petitioner -- Versus -- 1. The State of Jharkhand 2. Informant .... Opposite Parties ---- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR DWIVEDI --- For the Petitioner :- Mr. Soumitra Baroi, Advocate For the State :- Mrs. Anuradha Sahay, Advocate ---- 02/21.01.2026 Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the learned counsel appearing for the State. 2. The petitioner is apprehending his arrest in connection with Khukhra P.S. Case No.07 of 2025, for the alleged offences registered under Sections 64/62/115(2)/126(2)/352/351(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Sections 08/12 of the POCSO Act and Sections 3/4 of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, pending in the Court of learned Special Judge, POCSO Act, Giridih. 3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that due to village politics, the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case. He also submits that the petitioner and his brother have been made accused and his brother has faced the trial relating to POCSO Case No.96 of 2025 arising out of aforesaid F.I.R. being Khurhra P.S. Case No.07 of 2025 and he has been acquitted by learned Special Judge, POCSO Act, Giridih, vide judgment dated 17.10.2025. -2- 4. Learned counsel appearing for the State opposes the prayer for bail and submits that the allegations of molestation are there against the petitioner. 5. Considering that the co-accused happens to be the brother of the petitioner, who has been acquitted by the learned trial court relating to the same case, I am inclined to provide anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 6. Accordingly, the petitioner, above named, is hereby directed to surrender before the learned Court within three weeks from today, and in the event of his surrender/arrest, the petitioner, above named, shall 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 Special Judge, POCSO Act, Giridih in connection with Khukhra P.S. Case No.07 of 2025, subject to the conditions as laid down under Section 482(2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. (Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi, J.) Dated 21.01.2026 Jay/