Neutral Citation 2026:JHHC:3994 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI A.B.A. No. 2230 of 2020 Mantosh Kumar Pandey, S/o Late Khagen Chandra Pandey, R/o Vill- Dulhindih, P.O.- Singhada, P.S.- Topchanchi, Dist.- Dhanbad. --- --- Petitioner Versus The Union of India through CBI --- --- Opposite Party --- CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RONGON MUKHOPADHYAY --- For the Petitioner : Mr. Mahesh Tewari, Adv. For the CBI : Mr. Deepak Kumar Bharti, Adv. --- 23/06.02.2026 Heard Mr. Mahesh Tewari, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Deepak Kumar Bharti, learned counsel appearing for the CBI. 2. In this application, the petitioner has prayed for grant of anticipatory bail as he is apprehending his arrest in connection with R.C. Case No. 4(A)/2013-R registered for the offences under Sections 120B read with 201/420/468/471 IPC and Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. 3. The prosecution case reveals that the accused public servants along with a private person, i.e., Dhiraj Kumar (petitioner) of M/s Global Informatics had entered into a criminal conspiracy amongst themselves and in furtherance of the same, the public servants in strict abuse of their respective official positions dishonestly and fraudulently manipulated/allowed to manipulate the merit list assessment charts. It has further been alleged that during JET 2006, the merit list was manipulated by Dhiraj Kumar under the guidance and influence of JPSC officials in order to extend undue benefits to certain candidates who were dishonestly and fraudulently declared qualified even though they had secured less marks than the candidates who even after Neutral Citation 2026:JHHC:3994 2 securing more marks, could not qualify. It has also been alleged that marks in the assessment charts of a number of candidates obtained during interview were increased to extend undue favor to them which facilitated their selection as lecturers. 4. It has been submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that charge sheet has been submitted by the CBI. It has further been submitted that some of the co-accused persons have been granted anticipatory bail in A.B.A. No. 3349 of 2022. Learned counsel adds that the petitioner has been implicated primarily on account of the fact that he is said to have benefited from the illegal transactions and manipulations with respect to selection of candidates. 5. Mr. Deepak Kumar Bharti, learned counsel appearing for the CBI has opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail of the petitioner and has submitted that the petitioner had received 108 marks in the IIIrd Paper of JET examination, whereas the minimum marks required was 119 which in fact enhances the case of the prosecution with respect to the petitioner being a beneficiary and being in active connivance with the JPSC officials. 6. Admittedly, charge sheet has been submitted by the CBI. Some of the co-accused persons have been granted anticipatory bail in A.B.A. No. 3349 of 2022. The petitioner has been charge-sheeted primarily on account of the fact that he is a purported beneficiary to the manipulations and illegal transactions committed by the JPSC officials. 7. On consideration of the aforesaid facts, I am inclined to extend the privilege of anticipatory bail to the Petitioner. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to surrender before the learned trial court within a period of four weeks, and on his surrender, he shall be released on bail on Neutral Citation 2026:JHHC:3994 3 furnishing bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Special Judge, CBI, Ranchi in connection with R.C. Case No. 4(A)/2013-R, subject to the conditions as laid down under Section 438(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. 8. This application stands allowed. 9. Pending I.A.(s), if any, stands closed. (Rongon Mukhopadhyay, J.) Dated- 6th February, 2026. Preet/- Uploaded on: 16 /02/2026.