Patna High Court

Ranjeet ManjhiversusThe State of Bihar

Decided: 1 April 2026
Disposal: BAIL GRANTED
Bench: SANDEEP KUMAR

Holding

The Court granted regular bail to the petitioner subject to a cash bond, sureties, a charitable donation, and attendance conditions.

Summary

The petitioner, Ranjeet Manjhi, was arrested in Nawada for possession of 55 litres of illicit liquor, alleged under Sections 30(a) and 30(c) of the Bihar Prohibition & Excise (Amendment) Act, 2022. He applied for regular bail, claiming innocence, no prior criminal record, and offering to donate Rs.25,000 to a charitable organization without admitting guilt. The State opposed the bail. The Court, after considering the facts and submissions, allowed the bail application, directing the petitioner to furnish a bail bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties, deposit Rs.25,000 with Ramakrishna Math and produce the receipt, and attend the police station on two Sundays each month. Failure to comply would result in cancellation of bail. The order was pronounced by Justice Sandeep Kumar.

Issues considered

Whether regular bail should be granted to the accused under Sections 30(a) and 30(c) of the Bihar Prohibition & Excise (Amendment) Act, 2022
Whether the conditions imposed, including charitable donation and periodic police attendance, are lawful and appropriate

Subjects

bail
prohibition law
illicit liquor
excise
criminal procedure
regular bail
charitable donation
attendance condition

Judgment

                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                              CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.20866 of 2026
                    Arising Out of PS. Case No.-78 Year-2026 Thana- NEMDARGANJ District- Nawada
                 ======================================================
                 Ranjeet Manjhi S/O Ramswaroop Manjhi @ Swarup Manjhi R/O Village-
                 Dakra Mushari, P.S- Nemdarganj, Distt.- Nawada.

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

                                                        ... ... Opposite Party/s
                 ======================================================
                 Appearance :
                 For the Petitioner/s     :      Mr.Sheo Kumar Prasad, Advocate
                 For the Opposite Party/s :      Mr.Sanjay Kumar, APP
                 ======================================================
                 CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
                                       ORAL ORDER

2   01-04-2026                  Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned

                   APP for the State.

                                2. The petitioner seeks regular bail in connection with

                   Nemdarganj P.S. Case No. 78 of 2026 registered for the offence

                   under Sections 30(a), 30(c) of the Bihar Prohibition & Excise

                   (Amendment) Act, 2022.

                                3. The recovery is of 55 litres of illicit liquor (mahua)

                   from a house.

                                4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the

                   petitioner is innocent and has no criminal antecedent. He further

                   submits that the petitioner is in custody since 23.02.2026

                   without any fault.

                                5. Learned counsel for the petitioner also submits that

                   the petitioner is ready to donate Rs.25,000/- in some charitable
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.20866 of 2026(2) dt.01-04-2026
                                            2/3




          organization without accepting his guilt

                        6. Learned APP appearing for the State opposes the

          prayer of the petitioner for grant of bail.

                        7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case

          as well as the submissions of learned counsel for the petitioner,

          this application is allowed.

                        8. Let the petitioner, above named, be released on bail

          upon furnishing bail bonds of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten

          Thousand Only) with two sureties of the like amount each to the

          satisfaction of learned Exclusive Special Court Excise-I,

          Nawada/        concerned       Court     below,      in   connection   with

          Nemdarganj P.S. Case No. 78 of 2026.

                        9. This is also subject to the condition that the

          petitioner shall deposit an amount of Rs. 25,000/- in

          Ramakrishna Math, Village Jharha (near Matua Pahar), P.O.

          Gurua, Gayaji and produce the receipt of the same before the

          Court below. The bail bonds of the petitioner shall be accepted

          after verifying the genuineness of the receipt produced by the

          petitioner.

                        10. As a condition of this order, the petitioner after

          being released on bail, is directed to mark his attendance at

          Nemdarganj Police Station, District- Nawada on any two
              Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.20866 of 2026(2) dt.01-04-2026
                                                          3/3




                        Sundays of every month. Any default in appearance at the

                        Police Station will result in cancellation of bail bonds of the

                        petitioner.


                                                   (Sandeep Kumar, J)
tusharika/-
U       T

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