Budhan Manjhi vs State of Jharkhand

Heard the parties through video conferencing.

Learned counsel for the petitioner undertakes to remove the defects pointed out by the stamp reporter within two weeks after the lockdown is over.

In view of personal undertaking given by the learned counsel for the petitioner, the defects pointed out by the stamp reporter are ignored for the

present.

The petitioner has been made accused in connection with Mandu P.S. Case No. 263 of 2016, corresponding to G.R. No.967 of 2016 registered under

sections 420/467/468/471/120(B) of the Indian Penal Code.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that compensation amount arising out of acquisition of land was

fraudulently grabbed by the petitioner by opening accounts in the name of the land losers on the basis of forged documents. The main conspirator

appears to be Suraj Burnwal and Kartik Manjhi, who had orchestrated the whole fraud. It is then submitted that the accounts were opened in the

name of the petitioner at the behest of the main accused persons. It is submitted that the allegation against the petitioner is false. It is next submitted

that the petitioner has no knowledge about the opening of the account in his name. It is next submitted that the co-accused, with similar allegation, has

been admitted to bail by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court vide order dated 23.09.2020 passed in B.A. No.6412 of 2020. It is then submitted that the

petitioner undertakes to co-operate with the trial of the case. It is lastly submitted that the petitioner has been in custody since 15.02.2020 as

mentioned in paragraph 14 of the bail application. Hence it is submitted that the petitioner be released on bail.

Learned Addl. P.P. opposes the prayer for bail.

Considering the facts of this case, the above named petitioner is directed to be enlarged 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 A.C.J.M., Ramgarh in connection with Mandu P.S. Case No.

263 of 2016, corresponding to G.R. No.967 of 2016 with the condition that he will co-operate with the trial of the case.