Patna High Court
Sonelal Paswan @ Gonaur PaswanversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISMISSED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
The court dismissed the bail application, refusing regular bail to the petitioner.
Summary
The petitioner, Sonelal Paswan, applied for regular bail in a case registered in 2015 involving offences under Sections 364, 302 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, relating to the kidnapping and murder of the informant's husband. The prosecution alleged that the petitioner, along with others, received a contract (supari) from Sanju Devi and participated in the killing. The petitioner had been in custody since January 13, 2026 and was also an absconder in the 2015 case. The court examined the material on record, noting the seriousness of the charges and the petitioner’s status as an absconder. Consequently, the court declined to grant bail, dismissing the application while clarifying that its observations were limited to the bail issue and did not prejudice the trial’s merits.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail should be granted to an accused who is an absconder and faces charges of kidnapping, murder and criminal conspiracy
- Whether the existence of a supari (contract killing) allegation affects the grant of bail
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code — s. 120B, 302, 364
Subjects
- regular bail
- absconder
- murder
- kidnapping
- criminal conspiracy
- supari
- Indian Penal Code
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.24876 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-195 Year-2015 Thana- PATAHI District- East Champaran
======================================================
Sonelal Paswan @ Gonaur Paswan S/O Achhelal Paswan R/O Village-
Madhopur Tikasari, P.S- Madhuban, Distt.- East Champaran.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Abhishek Kumar
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Akshay Lal Pandit
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 20-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The petitioner seeks regular bail in connection
with Patahi P.S. Case No. 195 of 2015 registered for the offence
under Sections 364, 302, 120B of the Indian Penal Code.
3. As per the prosecution case, the deceased, who
is the husband of the informant, was kidnapped and killed.
4. The petitioner is in custody since 13.01.2026 and
he is an absconder in a case of 2015.
5. It has come during investigation that the
petitioner and others were given Supari by one Sanju Devi and
thereafter, the deceased was killed.
6. Considering the materials available on record
and the fact that the petitioner is an absconder, this Court is not
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.24876 of 2026(2) dt.20-04-2026
2/2
inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.
7. Accordingly, this application is dismissed.
8. It is, however, clarified that the observations
made herein are limited to the adjudication of the present bail
application and shall not prejudice the case of the petitioner at
any subsequent stage of the trial and this Court has not
expressed any opinion on the merits of the case.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
Vikas/-
U
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