Patna High Court
Ashish RanjanversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The court granted bail to the petitioner.
Summary
The petitioner, Ashish Ranjan, applied for bail in a cyber fraud case (Cyber P.S. Case No. 9 of 2026) where he was charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 303(2), 318(2), 319(2), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 317(2), 317(5), 111(2) and 61(2). The prosecution alleged that the petitioner was apprehended during a police raid based on information about cyber fraud activities, and two mobile phones recovered from him allegedly contained data related to the fraud. The petitioner contended that he was innocent, that no complaint was lodged against his mobile number, and that no incriminating material was found except the phones; he also highlighted his clean record and his custody since 20‑01‑2026. The State opposed bail, but the court, after hearing both sides, found insufficient grounds to deny bail and ordered the petitioner to be released on a bail bond of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties. The order was pronounced by Justice Ashok Kumar Pandey.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to bail despite being charged under multiple serious IPC offences in a cyber fraud case
- Whether the evidence recovered from the petitioner's mobile phones justifies continued detention
- Whether the petitioner poses a flight risk or threat to the investigation
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code — s. 111, 303, 317, 318, 319, 336, 338, 340, 61
Subjects
- bail
- cyber fraud
- Indian Penal Code
- mobile evidence
- criminal procedure
- judicial custody
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.17364 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-9 Year-26 Thana- Cyber P.S. District- Nawada
======================================================
Ashish Ranjan, S/o Prasadi Mahto, R/O Village - Mirchak Simrigali, P.s-
Warsaliganj, District- Nawada
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Bipin Kumar, Advocate
Mr. Abhishek Kumar, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Nawal Kishore Prasad, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
2 23-03-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The petitioner has prayed for bail in connection
with Cyber P.S. Case No. 9 of 2026 registered for the offence
punishable under Sections 303(2), 318(2), 318(4), 319(2),
336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 317(2), 317(5), 111(2) and 61(2) of
B.N.S.
3. The case of the prosecution, in short, is that police
had information that certain miscreants are indulged in cyber
fraud. On this information and on the basis of tower location, a
ground was searched. It is alleged that two persons were
apprehended. One was identified as Nirmal Kumar and second
was identified as this petitioner.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.17364 of 2026(2) dt.23-03-2026
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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 will transpire that from the
pocket of this petitioner, one mobile of Realme company and
another mobile of Nothing company were recovered which was
having whatsapp number. From perusal of the F.I.R. it is clear
that in the recovered mobiles, the police has found in the gallery
the data regarding cyber fraud and different Q.R. codes. It has
also been submitted that there is no complaint on the mobile
number of this petitioner. No incriminating material has been
recovered from his possession. Save and except two mobiles,
nothing has been recovered. Petitioner is having no criminal
antecedent and he is languishing in judicial custody since
20.01.2026.
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
bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Rs. ten thousand only) with two sureties
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.17364 of 2026(2) dt.23-03-2026
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of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate-VI, Nawada in connection
with Cyber P.S. Case No. 9 of 2026.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
lata/-
U T
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