Patna High Court
Rita DeviversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- ALOK KUMAR SINHA
Holding
Anticipatory bail was granted to the petitioner subject to a bail bond, sureties, and conditions under Sections 438(2) CrPC and 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Summary
The petitioner, Rita Devi, sought anticipatory bail after fearing arrest in a case under Sections 30(a) and 56(c) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 relating to alleged illicit liquor. She claimed innocence, stating she was not present at the alleged site and that no liquor was found in her possession. The State opposed the bail, but the court noted that the seized liquor originated from a house not owned by the petitioner and that the seizure was witnessed only by police officers, raising doubts about its validity. Considering these facts, the court inclined to grant anticipatory bail, imposing a bail bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties and conditions under Section 438(2) of the CrPC and Section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The bail was ordered subject to the petitioner’s cooperation in investigation and verification of any prior criminal antecedents.
Issues considered
- Whether anticipatory bail should be granted under Section 438 CrPC in a case under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016.
- Whether the seizure of liquor from a house not owned by the petitioner affects the validity of the charge.
- Whether Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 permits the court to intervene in the bail matter.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 — s. 482(2)
- Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 — s. 30(a), 56(c)
- Code of Criminal Procedure — s. 438(2)
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- prohibition act
- illegal liquor
- seizure validity
- bail conditions
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.23616 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-690 Year-2021 Thana- FATUA District- Patna
======================================================
Rita Devi Wife of Chhotu Saw @ Dukhan Sah R/o- Imlichowk, Raipura
Kewalatal, P.S.- Fatuha, District- Patna
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Shyam Kumar Chaudhary
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Md. Aslam Ansari
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ALOK KUMAR SINHA
ORAL ORDER
2 16-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
A.P.P. for the State.
2. The petitioner apprehends her arrest in a case
registered for the offence punishable under Sections 30(a) and
56(c) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 in
connection with Fatuha P.S.Case No. 690 of 2021.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner is innocent and the entire allegation is false and
concocted. She was not present at the place of occurrence and
the illicit liquor has not been recovered from her conscious
physical possession.
4. Learned A.P.P. for the State opposes the prayer for
anticipatory bail of the petitioner.
5. From the reading of the allegation levelled in the
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.23616 of 2026(2) dt.16-04-2026
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FIR, it appears that the liquor has been seized from the house,
which does not belong to the petitioner. No recovery has been
made from the conscious physical possession of the petitioner,
and from the reading of the search and seizure memo, it is
apparent that it has been witnessed by two police witnesses and
not by any independent witness, which puts a question mark on
the validity of the seizure itself. Under these circumstances, I
am inclined to grant privilege of anticipatory bail to the
petitioner.
6. Let the petitioner, as named above, in the event of
her arrest or surrender within four weeks from today, 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 learned Special Judge, Excise, Patna City in
connection with Fatuha P.S.Case No. 690 of 2021, subject to the
conditions laid down under section 438(2) of the Code of
Criminal Procedure/Section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik
Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and subject to further condition that :-
(i) the petitioner shall co-operate in the investigation/
trial.
(ii) the learned court would, however, verify the
criminal antecedent of the petitioner and in case it is found that
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.23616 of 2026(2) dt.16-04-2026
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the petitioner has concealed her criminal antecedent, the court
below shall take step for cancellation of bail bond of the
petitioner. However, it is expected that the verification process
would be done expeditiously without causing any delay.
(Alok Kumar Sinha, J)
HR/-
U T
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