Anticipatory bail granted based on lack of evidence under the SC/ST Act and clean antecedents of the appellants.

CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PRABHAT KUMAR SINGH ORAL ORDER

6 29-01-2026 Heard learned counsel for the appellants and learned Special P.P. for of the State.

2. This appeal has been filed against the order dated

04.03.2024 passed by learned I/c Additional Sessions Judge-1, 66 of 2024, registered under Sections 341 , 323, 379, 427, 504, 506 of the IPC and Section 3 (1)(r)(w) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (for short “SC/ST Act”), whereby the prayer for anticipatory bail of appellants have been rejected.

3. As per prosecution case, informant alleged that on

18.01.2024, the accused persons including the appellants assaulted informant’s brother and tried to outrage the modesty of informant’s brother’s wife. It is further alleged that the accused persons abused them by caste name and looted gold Mangalsutra along with Rs. 10,500/- cash.

4. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that both the parties are co-villagers and due to political rivalry this false case with concocted story has been lodged. The FIR is lodged after delay of 4 days without explanation of delay. Allegation of assault is general and omnibus. It is not the case of informant that any member of public was present and hence, no case of SC/ST Act is made out against the appellants.

5. Learned counsel for the learned Spl. Public Prosecutor for the State opposed the appeal of the appellants.

6. However, considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances and clean antecedent, the impugned order dated 04.03.2024 is, hereby, set aside and this criminal appeal is allowed.

7. Let the appellants, as named above, be released on bail on furnishing bail-bond of Rs. 10,000/- (ten thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned I/c Additional Sessions Judge-1, Kaimur at Bhabhua in (Prabhat Kumar Singh, J)

khushbu/- U T