Patna High Court
Vinod Ram @ Binod RamversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The court granted anticipatory bail to the petitioners, subject to conditions under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S., 2023.
Summary
The petitioners, Vinod Ram and his wife Lalti Devi, applied for anticipatory bail fearing arrest in a dowry‑related murder case (Sahebganj P.S. Case No. 220 of 2025) filed under Sections 80, 238 and 3(5) of the B.N.S., 2023. The prosecution alleges that the deceased, Rambha Devi, was killed after being subjected to dowry cruelty, and the main accusation is against her husband, who is already in custody. The petitioners, who are the brother‑in‑law and sister‑in‑law of the deceased, contend they have no criminal antecedent and are falsely implicated. The State opposed the bail, but the court noted the allegations against the petitioners were vague and general. Accordingly, the court ordered that the petitioners be enlarged on bail, subject to surrender within four weeks, a bail bond of Rs.10,000 each and two sureties, under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S., 2023.
Issues considered
- Whether anticipatory bail should be granted to the petitioners under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S., 2023 in view of the allegations.
- Whether the allegations against the petitioners are specific enough to deny bail.
- Whether the petitioners have any prior criminal record that would preclude bail.
Legislation cited
- B.N.S., 2023 — s. 238, 3(5), 482(2), 80
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- dowry death
- Section 482
- bail conditions
- criminal procedure
- dowry cruelty
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.19483 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-220 Year-2025 Thana- SAHEBGANJ District- Muzaffarpur
======================================================
1. Vinod Ram @ Binod Ram S/O Late Sitaram Ram Village- Jagdishpur, Ward
No.- 04, P.s.- Sahebganj, Distt.- Muzaffarpur
2. Lalti Devi W/O Vinod Ram @ Binod Ram Village- Jagdishpur, Ward No.-
04, P.s.- Sahebganj, Distt.- Muzaffarpur
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Shivendra Kumar Sinha, Advocate
Mr. Ranjeet Patel, Advocate
Mr. Avnish Kumar Singh, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Md. Shakir Ahmad, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
2 24-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned
APP for the State.
2. The instant application for anticipatory bail has
been filed by the petitioners apprehending their arrest in
connection with Sahebganj P.S. Case No. 220 of 2025 instituted
for the offence under Sections 80, 238 and 3(5) of the B.N.S.,
2023.
3. The case of the prosecution, in short, is that one
Rambha Devi was married with Dilip Ram six years ago. It is
alleged that she was subjected to cruelty on account of non-
fulfillment of dowry demand by her in-laws. On 10.05.2025, the
informant received an information that the deceased was ill and
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.19483 of 2026(2) dt.24-04-2026
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when he reached there, he came to know that the deceased had
been killed.
4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
petitioners submits that the petitioners are innocent and have
committed no offence and have been falsely implicated in the
present case. It is further submitted that the nature of the
allegations is general and omnibus. The petitioners are the
brother-in-law and sister-in-law of the deceased. The main
thrust of the allegations is against the husband, who is already in
custody. He further submits that a statement has been made in
para-3 of this petition that the petitioners have got no criminal
antecedent.
5. In contra, learned APP appearing for the State has
opposed the prayer of bail of the petitioners.
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 petitioners on bail. The
petitioners are directed to surrender in the Court below within a
period of four weeks from today and in the event of their arrest
or surrender in connection with Sahebganj P.S. Case No. 220 of
2025, they will be enlarged on bail on furnishing bail bond of
Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand) each with two sureties of the
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.19483 of 2026(2) dt.24-04-2026
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like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Additional Chief
Judicial Magistrate-II, West Muzaffarpur subject to the
conditions as laid down under section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
Sudhanshu/-
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