Patna High Court
Renu DeviversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISMISSED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
Bail was not granted to the petitioner at this stage of the proceedings.
Summary
The petitioner, Renu Devi, was arrested in connection with a human‑trafficking case (Rajgir P.S. Case No. 454 of 2025) under Sections 137(2), 142, 98 and 99 of the Bihar Narcotic and Smuggling Act, 2023. The victim’s statement under Sections 180 and 183 of the same Act alleged that the petitioner was part of a racket that abducted the victim, handed her over to intermediaries and ultimately to a person named Chhotu. The State opposed bail, arguing that the petitioner’s involvement was clear and that bail had already been denied to co‑accused Rahul Kumar and Md. Babar in similar matters. The court, after hearing both sides, held that the seriousness of the offence and the petitioner’s alleged role warranted denial of bail at this stage, though she may re‑apply after six months if the trial remains pending. The trial court was directed to expedite the proceedings.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to the accused in a human‑trafficking case involving alleged participation in a trafficking racket.
- Whether the victim’s statement under Sections 180 and 183 of the BNSS is sufficient to deny bail.
Subjects
- bail
- human trafficking
- criminal procedure
- victim statement
- BNSS 2023
- sections 137, 142, 98, 99
- trial expeditious
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.10410 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-454 Year-2025 Thana- RAJGIR District- Nalanda
======================================================
Renu Devi Wife of Late Binod Das Resident of Vill.- Chittabadi, P.S.-
Muffasil, District - Katihar, State - Bihar.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Gaurav Kumar Verma
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
3 10-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The petitioner has prayed for bail in connection
with Rajgir P.S. Case No. 454 of 2025 registered for the offence
punishable under Sections 137(2), 142, 98, 99 of the B.N.S.,
2023.
3. The case of the prosecution, in short, is that the
minor daughter of the informant had gone out of the house to
ease herself, and as she did not return for a considerable time,
she was being searched.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that
during the course of the investigation, the victim was recovered,
and she has given her statement recorded under Sections 180 &
183 of the BNSS. In her statement under Section 183 of the
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.10410 of 2026(3) dt.10-04-2026
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BNSS, the victim has stated that she was having an affair
outside marriage with one Rahul Kumar. He forcefully took her
to the baandh. One Dharmendra Kumar was called there.
Dharmendra Kumar brought a four-wheeler, and both Rahul
Kumar and Dharmendra have forcefully boarded her in that
four-wheeler. After that Rahul Kumar left the four-wheeler.
Dharmendra Kumar took her to Rajgir railway station, and he
parked his vehicle at Rajgir railway station and took her in a
train, and there she met one lady who kept her in a room for
twenty days and then handed her over to Md. Babar, and from
Md. Babar she was handed over to Chhotu. He further submits
that the petitioner is a lady. The investigation in this case has
been completed. Moreover, statement has been made in para 3
of the petition that petitioner has no criminal antecedent and she
is languishing in judicial custody since 22.09.2025.
5.The application for bail is vehemently opposed by
the learned counsel for the informant and the learned APP for
the State. Learned counsel for the informant has submitted that
from perusal of the statement of the victim recorded under
Section 183 of the BNSS, it is clear that this petitioner is a
member of a racket that indulges in human trafficking, and first
of all, the victim was kept with this petitioner, who has handed
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.10410 of 2026(3) dt.10-04-2026
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her over to Md. Babar, and Md. Babar has handed her over to
one Chhotu. He also submits that the petitioner, who is involved
in the said occurrence, and her complicity is quite clear. He
further submits that the bail petitions of similarly situated co-
accused persons namely, Rahul Kumar and Md. Babar have
already been rejected by this court vide Cr. Misc. Nos. 1230 of
2026 and 89054 of 2025 respectively.
6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and
considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is
not inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail at this stage,
however she may renew his prayer for bail after six months if
the trial is not concluded. Learned trial court is directed to
expedite the trial.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
Sudhanshu/-
U T
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