Jharkhand HC Denies Bail to Anita Devi in Witchcraft Case
Parties Involved
Anita Devi
The State of Jharkhand
AI Summary
The High Court of Jharkhand denied bail to Anita Devi, who has been in custody since March 2025 on serious charges related to witchcraft practices. The court found that there were specific allegations against her, and thus, she will remain in custody while the trial proceeds.
Bench
P.O. Pakuriya
PresidingP.S. Dumka
Order Text
Anita Devi vs The State Of Jharkhand ... ... Opposite ... on 17 February, 2026 Author: Anubha Rawat Choudhary Bench: Anubha Rawat Choudhary 2026:JHHC:4473 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 10537 of 2025 Anita Devi, aged about 23 years, wife of Gulab Maraiya, resident of Village Pakuriya, P.O. Pakuriya, P.S. Dumka (M), District Dumka, Jharkhand. ... ... Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand ... ... Opposite Party --- CORAM :HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANUBHA RAWAT CHOUDHARY --- For the Petitioner : Mr. Durga C. Mishra, Advocate For the Opp. Party-State : Ms. Ruby Pandey, Advocate --- 03/17.02.2026 1. Heard the learned counsel for the parties. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in custody since 06.03.2025 in connection with S.T. Case No. 165 of 2025 arising out of Dumka (M) P.S. Case No. 34 of 2025, for the alleged offence registered under Sections 191(2), 191(3), 190, 115(2), 117(2), 117(4) & 103(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 3/4 of the Prevention of Witch (Daain) Practices Act, said to have been pending in the court of learned Additional Sessions Judge-IV, Dumka. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that though the petitioner is named in the FIR being the wife of Gulab Maraiya, but there is no specific allegation against the petitioner. He submits that the petitioner is in custody since 06.03.2025 and the petitioner is a mother of 6 years old child, so she may be released on bail. 4. Learned counsel a...
