Patna High Court
Prabhat ManjhiversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
Bail is granted to the petitioner subject to a Rs. 10,000 bond, two sureties, a Rs. 25,000 charitable donation, and monthly police‑station attendance.
Summary
The petitioner, Prabhat Manjhi, was arrested in connection with the recovery of 128.51 litres of illicit liquor and charged under Sections 30(a), 34 and 36 of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act. He had been in custody since 22 January 2026 and applied for regular bail, offering to donate Rs. 25,000 to a charitable organization without admitting guilt. The State opposed the bail. The Court, after considering the nature of the offence, the period of custody and the petitioner’s undertaking, granted bail on the condition of a Rs. 10,000 bond with two sureties, the charitable donation, and monthly attendance at the police station. The order expressly stated that the observations were prima facie and would not affect the trial. The bail was thus granted subject to the stipulated conditions.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to a person accused of offences under Sections 30(a), 34 and 36 of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act involving possession of a large quantity of illicit liquor.
Subjects
- bail
- prohibition
- excise
- illicit liquor
- criminal procedure
- charitable donation
- surety
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.22150 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-714 Year-2024 Thana- GARDANIBAG District- Patna
======================================================
Prabhat Manjhi S/o Sukhu Manjhi @ Sukhu Prasad @ Ram Chandra Prasad
R/o Mohalla - Yarpur Mushari, P.S - Gardanibagh, District - Patna
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Ajay Kumar Jain
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Kumar Ranjit Ranjan
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 09-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The present application has been filed seeking
regular bail in connection with Gardanibagh P.S. Case No. 714
of 2024, registered for offences punishable under Sections
30(a), 34 and 36 of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.
3. As per the prosecution case, 128.51 liters of illicit
liquor have been recovered from a hut. The petitioner is in
custody since 22.01.2026.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner undertakes to donate a sum of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees
Twenty-Five Thousand only) to a charitable organization,
without prejudice to his defence and without admitting guilt.
5. Learned APP for the State has opposed the prayer
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.22150 of 2026(2) dt.09-04-2026
2/3
for bail.
6. Having considered the facts and circumstances of
the case, the period of custody, and the submissions advanced
on behalf of the parties, the application for bail is allowed.
7. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to be released
on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees Ten
Thousand only) with two sureties of the like amount each to the
satisfaction of the learned Court concerned where the case is
pending/successor court in connection with Gardanibagh P.S.
Case No. 714 of 2024, subject to the following conditions:
(I). The petitioner shall deposit a sum of
Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Thousand only)
with Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Nala Road,
Patna, Bihar and shall produce a valid receipt
thereof before the court below. The bail bonds shall
be accepted only after verification of the
genuineness of the said receipt.
(ii). The petitioner shall mark his
attendance at Gardanibagh Police Station on every
Sunday of each month. In the event of default, the
bail bonds shall be liable to be cancelled.
8. It is made clear that any observation made herein is
prima facie in nature and limited solely for the purpose of
adjudication of the present bail application. Such observations
shall not be construed as an expression on the merits of the case
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.22150 of 2026(2) dt.09-04-2026
3/3
and shall not influence the trial or any other proceedings in any
manner.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
Shishir/-
U T
Checking your session…