Patna High Court
Megh Nath PaswanversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISMISSED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
The Court held that bail could not be granted and dismissed the application.
Summary
Megh Nath Paswan was charged under Sections 457 and 380 of the IPC for theft and related offences, and is also implicated in ten other criminal cases. He has been in custody since 13 October 2023 and previously applied for regular bail, which was rejected on 2 April 2024 due to his criminal antecedents and the need to expedite his trials. He filed a second bail application on 10 February 2026, arguing that the evidence had been closed and the trial was nearing conclusion. The Court considered his criminal history, the seriousness of the offences, and the fact that the trial was almost over, and concluded that these factors did not warrant bail. Consequently, the bail application was dismissed.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to a petitioner with multiple criminal antecedents and pending serious offences under Sections 457 and 380 of the IPC.
- Whether the stage of trial (evidence closed and nearing conclusion) justifies granting bail.
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code — s. 380, 457
Subjects
- bail
- IPC Section 457
- IPC Section 380
- criminal antecedents
- trial stage
- high court
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.48649 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-135 Year-2019 Thana- LAUKAHA District- Madhubani
======================================================
Megh Nath Paswan S/o Heera Paswan R/o Village- Belmohan, P.S.-
Phulparas, District- Madhubani
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Hriday Narayan Harshit
For the State : Mr. Sanjay Kumar Sharma
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
3 10-02-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. This is the second attempt on behalf of the
petitioner for grant of bail in connection with Laukaha P.S. Case
No. 135 of 2019 corresponding to G.R. No. 826 of 2019
registered for the offence under Sections 457/380 of the IPC.
3. Earlier, the bail application of the petitioner has
been rejected by this Court vide order dated 02.04.2024 passed
in Cr. Misc. No. 18291 of 2024, which reads as under:
“Heard learned counsel for the petitioner
and learned APP for the State.
2. This application for grant of regular bail
arises out of Laukaha P.S. Case No.135 of
2019 registered for the offence punishable under
sections 457 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code.
3. The petitioner is accused of committing
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.48649 of 2025(3) dt.10-02-2026
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theft. He is also accused in ten more criminal cases.
The petitioner is in custody since 13.10.2023.
4. Considering the criminal antecedents of
the petitioner, I am not inclined to grant the petitioner
privilege of regular bail. Accordingly, this bail
application is rejected. The trial court is directed to
expedite the trial of all the cases pending against the
petitioner and conclude the same as early as possible.
5. Let a copy of this order be communicated to
the District Judge, Madhubani through FAX or e-mail
forthwith for its compliance.”
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
evidence has been closed and the trial is on the verge of its
conclusion.
5. Considering the above facts and circumstances and
also the fact that the trial is on the verge of its conclusion, I am
not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.
6. Accordingly, this application is dismissed.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
priyanka/-
U T
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