Patna High Court
Sonu MandalversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The court granted regular bail to the petitioner.
Summary
Sonu Mandal was arrested in connection with a case where a pistol and a live cartridge were allegedly recovered from his possession, leading to charges under sections 25(1‑b)a, 26 and 35 of the Arms Act. The petitioner claimed innocence, argued that nothing was seized from him and that the police failed to follow Section 105 of the BNSS while preparing the seizure list. He had been in judicial custody since 14‑10‑2025 and the State opposed bail, citing four prior criminal antecedents. After hearing both sides, the Patna High Court considered the procedural lapse and the circumstances of the case and decided to grant regular bail. The petitioner was ordered to be released on a bail bond of Rs 10,000 with two sureties of the same amount, subject to the satisfaction of the learned CJM, Madhubani.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to regular bail despite charges under the Arms Act and alleged procedural irregularities in seizure.
- Whether the petitioner’s prior criminal antecedents preclude the grant of bail.
Legislation cited
Subjects
- bail
- Arms Act
- seizure procedure
- judicial custody
- criminal antecedents
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.12691 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-359 Year-2025 Thana- JAYNAGAR District- Madhubani
======================================================
Sonu Mandal Son of Ashok Mandal Resident of Village - Baluatol, Ward No.-
03, P.S.- Jainagar, District - Madhubani.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Murari Narain Chaudhary, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Ram Bilash Roy Raman, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
2 10-03-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The petitioner has prayed for regular bail in a case
registered for the offence punishable under sections 25(1-b)a, 26
and 35 of the Arms Act.
3. The case of the prosecution is that from the
possession of this petitioner, one country made pistol along with
one live cartridge was recovered.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner is innocent and has committed no offence. Learned
counsel for the petitioner has submitted that nothing has been
recovered from the possession of the petitioner. The seizure list
witnesses are police personnel and police has not followed
Section 105 of BNSS while preparing the seizure. Moreover, he
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12691 of 2026(2) dt.10-03-2026
2/2
is languishing in judicial custody since 14.10.2025.
5. Learned APP appearing for the State has
vehemently opposed the prayer of regular bail and has
submitted that petitioner is having four criminal antecedents.
6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and
considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this court is
inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail. The above named
petitioner is directed to be released on bail in connection with
Jainagar P.S. Case No. 359 of 2025 on furnishing bail bond of
Rs.10,000/- (ten thousand) with two sureties of the like amount
each to the satisfaction of learned CJM, Madhubani.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
shubham/-
U T
Checking your session…