Patna High Court
Putun Chaudhari @ Patun ChaudhariversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The court granted regular bail to the petitioner on condition of a bail bond and sureties.
Summary
Petitioner Putun Chaudhari was charged under Sections 302, 201, 504, 506 and 34 of the IPC for the alleged murder of his wife, Sunaina Devi, in a dowry‑related dispute. He had been in judicial custody since December 2021 and his earlier bail application was rejected, with permission to re‑apply after three months. The petitioner argued that the allegations were vague, he had no prior criminal record, and the prosecution’s key witnesses had been declared hostile, while the informant’s testimony did not support extending custody. The State opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offences. After hearing both sides, the court found the prosecution’s case insufficient to deny bail and ordered the petitioner to be released on regular bail upon furnishing a bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail can be granted in a case involving murder, dowry death and other serious IPC offences.
- Whether the petitioner poses a risk of tampering with evidence or fleeing.
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code — s. 201, 302, 34, 504, 506
Subjects
- bail
- murder
- dowry death
- IPC
- regular bail
- hostile witnesses
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.25005 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-450 Year-2021 Thana- GRIYAK District- Nalanda
======================================================
Putun Chaudhari @ Patun Chaudhari, Son of Kishori Chaudhary, Resident of
Village - Rapsapur, P.S.- Giriyak, District - Nalanda.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Anil Kumar No. I, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Umeshanand Pandit, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
2 01-05-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The petitioner has renewed his prayer for grant of
regular bail in connection with Giriyak (Pawapuri) P.S. Case
No. 450 of 2021 registered for the offence punishable under
Sections 302, 201, 504, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code
which was earlier rejected by this Court vide order dated
08.09.2025 passed in Cr. Misc. No. 61761 of 2025 with liberty
to renew his prayer for bail after three months if the trial is not
concluded.
3.The case of the prosecution, in short, is that one
Sunaina Devi was married to the petitioner ten years ago. It is
alleged that she was subjected to cruelty on account of non-
fulfillment of dowry demand of a bike and Rs. 50,000/-. It is
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.25005 of 2026(2) dt.01-05-2026
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further alleged that on 20.09.2021, informant got information
that Sunaina Devi has been killed by her in-laws.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted
that in this case, the nature of allegation is general and omnibus.
Petitioner is having no criminal antecedent and he is languishing
in judicial custody since 12.12.2021. It has further been
submitted that till today, altogether four witnesses have been
examined. All four witnesses have been declared hostile on the
prayer of the prosecution. Only the informant and I.O. have to
be examined. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further
submitted that the informant is not coming to the court with a
view to extend the custody of the petitioner and the witnesses
who have been examined by prosecution, have stated that the
deceased has consumed poison due to which she died.
5. The application for bail is vehemently opposed by
learned APP for the State.
6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and
considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is
inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail. The above named
petitioner is directed to be enlarged on bail on furnishing bail
bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Rs. ten thousand only) with two sureties
of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned District
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.25005 of 2026(2) dt.01-05-2026
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and Sessions Judge-II, Biharsharif, Nalanda in connection with
Giriyak (Pawapuri) P.S. Case No. 450 of 2021.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
lata/-
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