BJP Leader Chunnu Mishra Granted Bail in Monitor Lizard Smuggling Case; Son Avinash's Release Stalled
Ranchi: BJP leader Rajiv Ranjan Mishra—alias Chunnu Mishra—and his son, Avinash Anand, who were arrested in connection with a monitor lizard smuggling case, have received significant relief from the court of the ACJM (Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate) in Ranchi. On May 22, 2026, the court granted the bail petitions of both accused individuals.
However, despite being granted bail, Avinash Anand could not be released from jail. According to reports, Avinash Anand was produced before the court from jail on a production warrant in connection with an older complaint case (No. 85/17); subsequently, he was remanded back to judicial custody. It is reported that he had been absconding in the said case since 2019, and the matter is currently pending at the judgment stage.
On Friday, Avinash Anand was produced via video conferencing before the court of Judicial Magistrate Angelina John. Following the hearing, the court ordered that he be sent back to jail on remand. Consequently, despite having been granted bail in the monitor lizard smuggling case, he could not walk out of jail on Friday.
Advocates Harsh Kumar Ankit and Vibhuti Kumar represented the defense in court in this matter.
