Bhikhan Mandal @ Bhikhari Mandal @ Bhikhar MandalversusThe State of Bihar

                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                              CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.16014 of 2026
                     Arising Out of PS. Case No.-392 Year-2024 Thana- BATHNAHA District- Sitamarhi
                 ======================================================
                 Bhikhan Mandal @ Bhikhari Mandal @ Bhikhar Mandal S/o Late Thakuri
                 Mandal Resident of Village- Kamaldah, P.S.- Bathnaha, Dist- Sitamarhi

                                                                                  ... ... Petitioner/s
                                                       Versus
                 The State of Bihar

                                                                             ... ... Opposite Party/s
                 ======================================================
                 Appearance :
                 For the Petitioner/s     :       Mr. Ashok Kumar Jha
                 For the Opposite Party/s :       Mr. Chandra Sen Prasad Singh
                 For the Informant        :       Mr. Kumar Prabhakar, Advocate
                 ======================================================
                 CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
                                       ORAL ORDER

3   13-05-2026                  Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the

                   learned APP for the State and the learned counsel for the

                   informant.

                                2. The petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in connection

                   with Bathnaha P.S. Case No. 392 of 2024 registered for the

                   offences under Sections 127(2), 115(2), 109(1), 103(1) and 3(5)

                   of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

                                3. As per the prosecution case, the petitioner is

                   alleged to have been involved in the murder of the deceased.

                                4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the

                   petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this

                   case. It is further submitted that there is no credible material to
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.16014 of 2026(3) dt.13-05-2026
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          connect the petitioner with the alleged occurrence. It is also

          contended that the name of the petitioner has surfaced only in

          the self-inculpatory statement of the co-accused and the

          petitioner, not being an immediate family member of the co-

          accused, had no role in the alleged offence. It is thus prayed that

          the petitioner may be granted the privilege of anticipatory bail.

                       5. Learned APP for the State as well as learned

          counsel for the informant have vehemently opposed the prayer

          for anticipatory bail. It is submitted that the petitioner is

          specifically named in the FIR and the seriousness of the

          allegations is evident. It is further pointed out that process under

          Section 82 Cr.P.C. has already been issued against the petitioner.

                       6. Having considered the rival submissions, the nature

          and gravity of the accusation and the materials available on

          record, this Court is not inclined to grant the privilege of

          anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

                       7. Accordingly, the prayer for anticipatory bail is

          hereby rejected.

                       8. It is, however, made clear that any observation

          made herein is purely prima facie in nature and confined to the

          adjudication of the present bail application. The same shall not

          be construed as an expression on the merits of the case and shall
            Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.16014 of 2026(3) dt.13-05-2026
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                      not influence the trial or any other proceedings.



                                                         (Sandeep Kumar, J)
Shishir/-

U       T