The Supreme Court has granted regular bail to suspended IAS officer and former Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey in a cheating and corruption case involving alleged illegal mutation of revenue records and encroachment of government and forest land in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.

A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, on July 31, allowed Choubey’s appeal against the High Court’s refusal to grant him bail and ordered his release on regular bail.

The Court made the relief subject to terms and conditions to be imposed by the jurisdictional court. It also directed Choubey to remain present before the trial court on all dates of hearing unless his personal appearance is specifically exempted.

The Supreme Court relied primarily on the fact that the investigation had been completed, the chargesheet had been filed and a co-accused had already been granted bail. Finding that Choubey was entitled to similar relief on the principle of parity, the Court granted him bail.

The case stems from an FIR registered at the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Police Station in Hazaribagh on September 25, 2025. Choubey has been booked under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120B of the IPC, along with Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The FIR was registered following allegations of widespread illegal mutation of revenue records and encroachment involving Bhudan, forest, government, grazing, Gair Majrua Aam and Gair Majrua Khas lands in Hazaribagh district.

According to the prosecution, the investigation uncovered irregularities in 33 mutation cases concerning land classified as Gair Majrua Khas, which it claimed constituted forest land. The prosecution has alleged that revenue officials, acting in conspiracy with sellers and purchasers, misused their official positions to facilitate illegal mutations of forest land in violation of applicable forest laws.

Choubey served as Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner from May 26, 2008, to October 5, 2010. The Supreme Court, however, noted that 23 of the mutations relied upon by the prosecution were carried out during 2011 and 2012, particularly between October 20, 2011, and March 21, 2012.

The prosecution has alleged that Choubey facilitated or influenced the mutation of revenue records in favour of private individuals during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner.

He was arrested on November 11, 2025, and remained in judicial custody. The investigation was subsequently completed and the chargesheet was filed on February 5, 2026.

The Supreme Court had earlier granted him interim bail on February 10, 2026. With the investigation now complete, the chargesheet filed and a co-accused already enjoying bail, the Court found that Choubey deserved regular bail on the ground of parity.

Choubey is also facing another case concerning alleged illegal transactions involving government land during his tenure as Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner. The ACB has alleged that nearly 5,000 acres of land were illegally transacted, including forest land, Gair Majruwa Aam, Sarkari Khas Mahal, Kesher-e-hind, Lakheraj and Trust lands.

In that case, the Jharkhand High Court rejected Choubey’s bail plea on January 6, 2026, observing prima facie that there was sufficient material indicating his alleged involvement in the transactions.

Case No.: Crl.A. No. 3549/2026
Case Title: Vinay Kumar Choubey v. State of Jharkhand