Institute of Legal and Management Studies

The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to suspended Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Chhavi Ranjan in the Jharkhand Army Land Scam case involving money laundering allegations.

It may be recalled that Ranjan is accused of having conspired with and assisted the main accused to get records of certain land holdings fabricated with a view to avail loan facilities, etc. He was arrested on 4 May 2023 and is in custody since then.

Today, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh granted him bail, subject to certain conditions, including that he shall not leave State of Jharkhand without prior permission.

Ranjan had moved the Court against a Jharkhand High Court order which denied him bail.

"It is not in dispute that the complaint has been filed and trial has commenced. 5 out of 31 witnesses appear to have been examined so far. Conclusion of trial will take some time. Co-accused have already been released on bail. Petitioner does not have criminal antecedents. Keeping in view the background of the witnesses who are yet to depose, there is no likelihood of influencing of witnesses or tampering with the evidence. In any case, if such attempt is made by the petitioner, it would amount to misuse of the concession of bail and necessary consequences will follow.

Taking into consideration the period already spent by the petitioner [in jail], however without expressing any opinion on nature of the allegations, we allow this petition and direct the petitioner to be released on bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court. The petitioner shall not leave State of Jharkhand without prior permission of trial court. He shall remain present before trial court on each and every date and shall fully cooperative for timely completion of the pending proceedings", the top Court ordered.

Case Title: CHHAVI RANJAN Versus UNION OF INDIA, SLP(Crl) No. 12137/2025