Patna High Court
Manzar @ Mejar @ Md. Manzar Alam @ Manzar AlamversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The court granted bail to the petitioner, directing release upon furnishing a bond of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties.
Summary
Manzar Alam was arrested in connection with a case involving alleged robbery, extortion, and theft of cattle, charged under multiple sections of the B.N.S. and Section 11(1)(I) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The prosecution alleged that a group of ten to twelve persons intercepted a cattle-carrying truck, seized Rs. 1,500, locked the driver, demanded a ransom of Rs. 1 lakh, and stole the cattle, naming the petitioner only as "Manzar" through co‑accused statements. The petitioner contended that he was falsely implicated, that the FIR contains no specific allegation against him, and that he has been in judicial custody since 25 October 2025. He also pointed out that the owner of the recovered cattle had been granted anticipatory bail in a related matter. The State opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offences. After hearing both sides, the court found insufficient specific evidence linking the petitioner to the crime and ordered his release on bail with a bond of Rs. 10,000 and two sureties.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to bail despite the serious nature of the offences charged.
- Whether the mere mention of the petitioner’s name by co‑accused constitutes sufficient basis for continued detention.
- Whether the grant of anticipatory bail to another accused impacts the bail application of the petitioner.
Legislation cited
- B.N.S. — s. 115(2), 126(2), 127(2), 303(2), 308(2), 308(5), 3(5), 352
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act — s. 11(1)(I)
Subjects
- bail
- criminal procedure
- robbery
- extortion
- cattle theft
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
- Bihar
- anticipatory bail
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.1373 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-174 Year-2025 Thana- THAKURGANJ District- Kishanganj
======================================================
Manzar @ Mejar @ Md. Manzar Alam @ Manzar Alam, S/O Alimuddin, R/O
Ward no. 02, Bangama, P.O.- Lohagara Hat, PS- Bahadurganj, Distt-
Kishanganj
... ... 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. Renuka Ratnakar (App 125)
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
2 29-01-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The petitioner has prayed for bail in connection
with Thakurganj P.S. Case No. 174 of 2025 registered for the
offence punishable under Sections 126(2), 127(2), 115(2), 308
(2), 308 (5), 303(2), 352 and 3(5) of B.N.S. and Section 11(1)(I)
of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
3. The case of the prosecution, in short, is that while
the informant was carrying cattles on a truck, he was
intercepted by 10-12 persons on three cars and it is alleged that
they took Rs. 1500/- from his pocket, locked him in a room near
toll plaza and demanded Rs. 1Lakh as randari. It is further
alleged that the accused persons were naming this petitioner and
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.1373 of 2026(2) dt.29-01-2026
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one Jawarul Sarpanch. From the perusal of the F.I.R., it is also
clear that the accused persons have also taken away the cattles
from the truck. When the owner of the cattles was informed, he
informed the police wehereeupon the police arrived and the
cattles were recovered from the village.
4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
petitioner has submitted that petitioner is innocent and has
committed no offence. He has been falsely implicated in this
case. From perusal of the F.I.R., it is clear that there is no
specific allegation against the petitioner. Only allegation against
him is that co-accused persons were named him as Manzar. It
has also been submitted that the person from whose possession
cattles were recovered has been granted anticipatory bail by
learned Co-ordinate Bench vide Cr. Misc. No. 91343 of 2025.
Moreover, the petitioner is languishing in judicial custody since
25.10.2025.
5. Learned APP appearing for the State has
vehemently opposed the application for bail.
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 enlarged on bail on furnishing bail
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.1373 of 2026(2) dt.29-01-2026
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bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Rs. ten thousand only) with two sureties
of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned C.J.M.,
Kishanganj in connection with Thakurganj P.S. Case No. 174 of
2025.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
lata/-
U T
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