Somlal Munda @ Sanika Munda v. The State of Jharkhand

CORAM : HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE AMBUJ NATH For the Petitioner For the State : Mr. Amit Kumar, Advocate : Mr. Saket Kumar, A.P.P -------- -------- 05/ Dated 04.04.2024 Heard the parties. The petitioner has been made accused in connection with Khunti P.S. Case No.187 of 2020, corresponding to G.R. No.149 of 2021, S.T. Case No.67 of 2021, for the offences registered under Sections 302 and 201/34 of the Indian Penal Code, pending in the court of Shri Satya Prakash No. II, learned Sessions Judge, Khunti. It is alleged that on 08.11.2020 at about 11:00 A.M, headless body of a male was found lying near Ghaghra bridge. During course of investigation, this petitioner was apprehended and on his confession, knife used in severing the head of deceased Belo Munda was recovered. Bail application of the petitioner was earlier rejected by this Court in B.A. No.9732/2022, with the direction to the learned Court below to expedite the trial and conclude the same within a year from the next date of recording of evidence. Report was called for from the learned court below regarding the stage of trial. It appears that out of eleven witnesses, six witnesses have been examined and five witnesses remained to be examined. It was submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is in custody since more than three years and the trial has not been concluded as yet. Considering the aforesaid fact, I am inclined to release the petitioner, on bail. Accordingly, the petitioner, named above, is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.20,000/-(Rupees Twenty Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction of Shri Satya Prakash No. II, learned Sessions Judge, Khunti, in connection with Khunti P.S. Case No.187 of 2020, corresponding to G.R. No.149 of 2021, S.T. Case No.67 of 2021. BS/ (Ambuj Nath, J.)