Patna High Court
Raghav Jha @ Chintu @ Chintu Jha @ Raghab KumarversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL REJECTED
- Bench
- R P MISHRA
Holding
The bail petition is dismissed as there are no new grounds to alter the earlier decision.
Summary
The petitioner, Raghav Jha, was arrested in June 2024 and charged under multiple serious provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including murder and attempt to murder. He applied for regular bail, having already been denied once by the same High Court in July 2025. Counsel argued that the petitioner had been in judicial custody for an extended period and that the trial was unlikely to conclude soon. The State opposed bail, relying on a Supreme Court decision that courts should be reluctant to grant bail in serious offences once trial has commenced. The High Court found no new material or ground to revisit its earlier decision and consequently rejected the bail application, directing the trial court to expedite the proceedings.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to bail despite the seriousness of the offences and the absence of new grounds since the earlier denial.
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code — s. 147, 148, 149, 302, 307, 323, 341, 504, 506
Subjects
- bail
- serious offences
- Indian Penal Code
- trial delay
- high court
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.10990 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-69 Year-2023 Thana- BIBHUTIPUR District- Samastipur
======================================================
Raghav Jha @ Chintu @ Chintu Jha @ Raghab Kumar Son of Ram Bilash
Jha @ Ram Vilash Jha Resident of Village- Salampur, Post Office- Rupauli
Buzurg, P.S.- Mushrigharari, District- Samastipur
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Mritunjay Kumar, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Nawal Kishore Prasad, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RUDRA PRAKASH
MISHRA
ORAL ORDER
2 13-02-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned APP
for the State.
2. The petitioner seeks bail in connection with S.T.
No. 629 of 2024, arising out of Bibhutipur P.S. Case No. 69 of
2023 instituted for the offences under Sections 147, 148, 149,
341, 323, 302, 307, 504 & 506 of the Indian Penal Code.
3. This is the second attempt of the petitioner for bail.
The petitioner has renewed his prayer for grant of regular bail
which was earlier rejected on merit by this Court vide order
dated 02.07.2025, passed in Cr. Misc. No. 17849 of 2025, taking
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.10990 of 2026(2) dt.13-02-2026
2/3
into account the nature and gravity of the offence as also the fact
that trial was in progress.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner is languishing in judicial custody since 12.06.2024
without any rhymes or reason, having five (5) criminal
antecedents. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that
there is no likelihood of the trial being concluded in the near
future, hence, petitioner may be enlarged on bail.
6. Learned APP for the State opposes the prayer for
grant of bail. Learned APP has further relied upon a decision of
the Hon’ble Apex Court reported in 2024 SCC Online SC 3539
(X. vs. State of Rajasthan & Anr.), wherein in paragraph No.14,
Hon’ble Apex Court has observed as under:
“14. Ordinarily in
serious offences like rape, murder,
dacoity, etc., once the trial
commences and the prosecution starts
examining its witnesses, the Court be
it the Trial Court or the High Court
should be loath in entertaining the
bail application of the accused.”
7. There is no new ground to consider the bail petition
of the petitioner, which is already decided by this Court on
merit.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.10990 of 2026(2) dt.13-02-2026
3/3
8. In view of the above, the prayer for bail of the
petitioner is again rejected with a direction to the court below to
expedite the trial and conclude the same expeditiously.
(Rudra Prakash Mishra, J)
Raj Kishore/-
U T
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