Patna High Court
Ram Babu Ray @ Rambabu RayversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The court granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to conditions of surrender, bail bond and assurance of non‑repetition.
Summary
Ram Babu Ray, owner of the Welcome Orchestra, was implicated in a Mahila police case alleging that minor girls were employed by his orchestra and forced to dance in small clothes, violating several provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, the Juvenile Justice Act, the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and the Bonded Labour Abolition Act. The petitioner filed an anticipatory bail application fearing arrest. The State opposed the bail, contending the seriousness of the alleged offences involving child exploitation. The court examined the petitioner's claim of innocence and noted that a co‑accused in a similar case had previously been granted bail. Considering the facts, the court decided to enlarge bail on the condition that the petitioner cooperate with the trial and refrain from such business, directing surrender within four weeks and requiring a bail bond of Rs 10,000 with two sureties. The bail was granted subject to the conditions prescribed under section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to anticipatory bail despite allegations of employing and forcing minor girls to dance under multiple criminal statutes.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 — s. 111, 141, 143, 145, 296, 3(5), 79, 98
- Bonded Labour Abolition Act — s. 16
- Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act — s. 3, 4, 5, 6
- Juvenile Justice Act — s. 79
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- child exploitation
- minor girls
- forced labour
- bonded labour
- criminal procedure
- bail conditions
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.17285 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-75 Year-2025 Thana- MAHILA P.S. District- Saran
======================================================
Ram Babu Ray @ Rambabu Ray S/o Kameshwar Ray Resident of Loha Tola,
P.S.- Khaira, Distt.- Saran
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Amrendra Kumar, Advocate
Mr. Prakash Chandra, Advocate
Mr. Dinesh Kumar, Advocate
Ms. Ranjana Singh, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Asha Kumari, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
2 18-03-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned APP
for the State and learned counsel for the informant.
2. The instant application for anticipatory bail has been
filed by the petitioner apprehending his arrest in connection
with Mahila (Saran) P.S. Case No. 75 of 2025 instituted for the
offence under Sections 79, 111, 141, 143, 145, 98, 296, 3(5) of
the B.N.S., 2023 and Section 79 of the J.J. Act, Sections 3, 4, 5,
6 of ITPA and Section 16 of Bonded Labour Abolition Act.
3. The case of the prosecution, in short, is that the
petitioner is the owner of the Welcome Orchestra, and on a
search being made, minor girls were found. It is alleged that the
petitioner has employed them on meagre wages and they were
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.17285 of 2026(2) dt.18-03-2026
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forced to dance in small clothes.
4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner
has submitted that petitioner is innocent and has committed no
offence. He has falsely been implicated in this case. He also
submits that from perusal of the FIR, it is clear that the
petitioner is only the owner of the orchestra, and it is alleged
that he has forced the minor girls to dance and that during the
investigation, the victims have stated that they were working on
meager wages. He further submits that similarly situated other
co-accused person has already been granted bail by this Court
vide Cr. Misc. No. 84015 of 2025. The case of this petitioner
stands on similar footing.
5. In contra, learned APP appearing for the State and
learned counsel for the informant have opposed the prayer of
bail of the petitioner.
6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and in
the facts and circumstances of the case as stated above, this
Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail with the
condition that the petitioner shall cooperate in trial and shall
not indulge himself in future in such kind of business. The
petitioner is directed to surrender in the Court below within a
period of four weeks from today and in the event of his arrest or
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.17285 of 2026(2) dt.18-03-2026
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surrender in connection with Mahila P.S. Case No. 75 of 2025,
he will be enlarged on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.
10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand) with two sureties of the like
amount each to the satisfaction of learned Exclusive Special
Judge, (POCSO), Saran subject to the conditions as laid down
under section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita,
2023.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
Sudhanshu/-
U T
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