Patna High Court
Pramod KumarversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
The court granted regular bail to the petitioner subject to specified conditions.
Summary
Pramod Kumar was arrested in January 2026 for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 25,000 under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He applied for regular bail, claiming innocence and a clean antecedent. The prosecution opposed the bail, asserting the seriousness of the bribery allegation. The Patna High Court, after considering the nature of the allegation, the period of custody, and the circumstances, allowed the bail application. The court ordered his release on a bail bond of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties, subject to regular attendance at the police station and cooperation in the trial, and clarified that its observations were prima facie and not a determination on the merits.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail should be granted to an accused caught red‑handed for alleged bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act
- Whether the seriousness of the offence precludes the grant of bail
Legislation cited
- Prevention of Corruption Act — s. 7(a)
Subjects
- bail
- Prevention of Corruption Act
- bribery
- regular bail
- criminal procedure
- vigilance case
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.24062 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-2 Year-2026 Thana- VIGILANCE District- Patna
======================================================
Pramod Kumar S/O Shri Devnath Mandal R/O Village- Bhadaiya Tola, P.S-
Kursaila, Distt.- Katihar.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar
2. The Superintendent of Police-cum-Officer in Charge Vigilance, Police
Inspector Patna Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Pramod Kumar
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Md. Matloob Rab
For the Vigilance : Mr. Arvind Kumar
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
3 22-04-2026 Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the
learned APP for the State, and the learned counsel for the
Vigilance.
2. The petitioner seeks regular bail in connection with
Vigilance Case No. 02 of 2026 registered for the offence under
Section(s) 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
3. As per the prosecution case, the petitioner was
caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 25,000/- from
the complainant.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner is innocent and has not committed any offence. The
petitioner is in custody since 03.01.2026 and claims clean
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.24062 of 2026(3) dt.22-04-2026
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antecedent. It is further submitted that the petitioner has no
connection with the alleged demand or acceptance of bribe.
5. Learned A.P.P. for the State and the learned counsel
for the vigilance have vehemently opposed the prayer for bail.
6. Having considered the submissions of the learned
counsel for the parties, the nature of allegation, the period of
custody, and the facts and circumstances of the case, this
application for regular bail is allowed.
7. Accordingly, let the petitioner, above named, be
released on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs. 10,000/- (Ten
Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the
satisfaction of the learned Court below where the case is
pending/successor Court in connection with Vigilance Case No.
02 of 2026 subject to conditions that:-
(i). The petitioner will mark his
attendance at the Kursaila Police Station on
the first and third Sunday of each month.
Any default in appearance at the Police
Station would result in cancellation of bail
bond of the petitioner.
(ii) The petitioner shall appear in
the trial regularly either personally or
through his lawyer and shall cooperate in
the trial and non-cooperation in the trial
shall result in cancellation of the bail bond
of the petitioner.
8. It is made clear that any observation made herein is
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.24062 of 2026(3) dt.22-04-2026
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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
and shall not influence the trial or any other proceedings in any
manner.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
Shishir/-
U T
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