Patna High Court
Ravi Kumar @ Ravi Kumar KewatversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- REJECTED
- Bench
- RAJESH KUMAR VERMA
Holding
Bail was denied as the trial was at the argument stage and the offences were of a serious nature.
Summary
Ravi Kumar Kewat was arrested on 18 August 2022 in connection with a FIR dated 17 August 2022, charging him under Sections 420, 406, 467, 468, 209, 93, 471 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. He applied for bail, which had earlier been rejected by a coordinate bench of the Patna High Court. The trial court reported that prosecution evidence was closed on 6 April 2026, the accused’s statement under Section 313 of the Cr.P.C. was recorded on 7 April 2026, and defence evidence was also closed on the same day, leaving the case pending only for arguments. The High Court, after considering the stage of the trial and the seriousness of the offences, declined to grant bail. The court directed the trial court to expedite the remaining proceedings and conclude the trial at the earliest.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to the accused given that prosecution and defence evidence have been closed and the case is pending only for argument.
- Whether the seriousness of the offences under the IPC precludes the grant of bail at this stage of the trial.
Legislation cited
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — s. 313
- Indian Penal Code — s. 209, 34, 406, 420, 467, 468, 471, 93
Subjects
- bail
- Indian Penal Code
- Criminal Procedure Code
- high court
- trial expeditious
- serious offences
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.1382 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-596 Year-2022 Thana- BIHAR District- Nalanda
======================================================
Ravi Kumar @ Ravi Kumar Kewat Son of Suresh Kewat R/o Village - Bakra,
P.S. - Giriyak, Dist. - Nalanda.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Binay Kumar Singh, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Tapeshwar Sharma, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR VERMA
ORAL ORDER
4 29-04-2026 Heard Mr.Binay Kumar Singh,learned counsel for the
petitioner and the Mr.Tapeshwar Sharma,learned A.P.P. for the
State.
2. The petitioner seeks bail, who is in custody since
18.08.2022 in connection with Bihar P.S. Case No. 596 of
2022, F.I.R. dated 17.08.2022 registered for the offence
punishable under Sections 420,406,467,468,209,93,471,34 of
the Indian Penal Code.
3. Earlier the prayer for bail of the petitioner was
rejected by a Coordinate Bench of this Hon’ble Court vide
order dated 02.08.2024 passed in Cr.Misc.No.26641/2024.
4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner
submits that the petitioner is in custody since 18.08.2022 and
the trial is not in progress.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.1382 of 2026(4) dt.29-04-2026
2/2
5. Vide order dated 07.04.2026, a report was called for
with regard to the stage of the trial. Report of the learned Trial
Court dated 15.04.2026 reveals that on 06.04.2026 the
prosecution evidence has been closed. The statement of the
accused persons were recorded under Section 313 of Cr.P.C. on
07.04.2026 and on the same day the defence evidence has also
been closed and now the case is pending for the argument.
6. Considering the report of the learned Trial Court, I
am not inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail in connection
with Bihar P.S. Case No. 596 of 2022 pending in the court of
learned J.M.F.C.-IV, Nalanda at Biharsharif.
7. Prayer is refused.
8. However, the learned Trial Court is directed to
expedite the trial and conclude the same at the earliest.
(Rajesh Kumar Verma, J)
Nitesh/-
U T
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