Patna High Court
Shekhar YadavversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The Court granted bail to the petitioner on the condition of a Rs 10,000 bond with two sureties.
Summary
The petitioner, Shekhar Yadav, applied for bail in a criminal case (PS Case No. 236 of 2025) concerning the death of his wife, Gunjan Kumari. The prosecution alleged dowry‑related cruelty and that the petitioner, together with other in‑laws, caused her death, possibly by electrocution. The petitioner argued that the death was accidental, citing the post‑mortem report which found no ante‑mortem injuries and attributed the cause to high‑voltage electrocution, along with independent witness statements and the presence of an open wire, and highlighted his clean criminal record and custody since July 2025. The State opposed the bail application. The Court, after considering the medical evidence, lack of direct incriminating material against the petitioner and his antecedents, ordered that bail be granted on a bond of Rs 10,000 with two sureties.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to the petitioner pending trial for offences under Sections 126(2), 352, 351(2), 80 and 3(5) of the B.N.S., 2023.
- Whether the evidence establishes that the petitioner was involved in a dowry‑related cruelty or murder, or whether the death was an accidental electrocution.
- Whether the petitioner’s lack of criminal antecedents and the medical findings justify the grant of bail.
Legislation cited
- B.N.S., 2023 — s. 126(2), 3(5), 351(2), 352, 80
Subjects
- bail
- dowry death
- electrocution
- cruelty
- criminal procedure
- post‑mortem report
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.1505 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-236 Year-2025 Thana- SINGHESHWAR District- Madhepura
======================================================
Shekhar Yadav Akhilesh Yadav R/o Village - Kataiya, P.S. - Singeshwar, Dist.
- Madhepura.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mrs. Pooja Prasad, Advocate
For the Informant : Mr. Rupesh Kumar, Advocate
Ms. Laxmi Kumari, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Md. Shakir Ahmad, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
3 11-03-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner; learned
counsel for the informant and the learned APP for the State.
2. The petitioner has prayed for bail in connection
with Singheshwar P.S. Case No. 236 of 2025 registered for the
offence punishable under Sections 126(2), 352, 351(2), 80, 3(5)
of the B.N.S., 2023.
3. The case of the prosecution, in short, is that Gunjan
Kumari (deceased) was married to the petitioner. It is further
alleged that she was subjected to cruelty on account of non-
fulfillment of dowry demand of two kattha of land and five
lakhs of rupees in cash. It is further alleged that the petitioner
along with other in-laws, has subjected her to cruelty and has
killed her. They have also tried to electrocute her.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.1505 of 2026(3) dt.11-03-2026
2/3
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. He also submits that from perusal of the FIR, it is clear
that there is a general and omnibus allegation that all the in-laws
have subjected her to cruelty and have killed her, but from
perusal of the post mortem report, it transpires that the doctor
conducting the Autopsy has not found any ante mortem injury
on the body of the deceased and the doctor has opined that the
cause of death is due to cardiorespiratory arrest due to high-
voltage electrocution. He also submits that during the course of
the investigation, the independent witnesses have also stated
that she died due to electrocution, and during the investigation,
police have also found an open wire in the room where the
deceased died. He also submits that the death was an accidental
one and there is no role of the petitioner. He further submits that
a statement has been made in para 3 of the petition that
petitioner has no criminal antecedent and he is languishing in
judicial custody since 07.07.2025.
5. The application for bail is vehemently opposed by
learned APP for the State.
6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.1505 of 2026(3) dt.11-03-2026
3/3
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
bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Rs. ten thousand only) with two sureties
of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Chief
Judicial Magistrate, Madhepura in connection with Singheshwar
P.S. Case No. 236 of 2025.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
Sudhanshu/-
U T
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