Patna High Court
ManmohanversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISMISSED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
The court held that bail could not be granted and dismissed the petition for regular bail.
Summary
Manmohan and Rampal, who were the driver and cleaner of a truck, were arrested for transporting 3,888 litres of illicit liquor in Bihar. They were charged under Sections 30(a) and 32(3) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Amendment Act, 2022 and have been in custody since 8 February 2026. The petitioners applied for regular bail, arguing that they were merely employees. The court examined the seriousness of the offence, the large quantity of contraband, and the petitioners' knowledge that liquor is prohibited in Bihar. Concluding that the circumstances warranted continued detention, the court refused bail and dismissed the application, directing that the trial be expedited.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail should be granted to the driver and cleaner accused of transporting a large quantity of illicit liquor under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Amendment Act, 2022.
Legislation cited
- Bihar Prohibition and Excise (Amendment) Act, 2022 — s. 30(a), 32(3)
Subjects
- bail
- excise
- illicit liquor
- prohibition
- high court
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.25132 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-255 Year-2026 Thana- Excise P.S. District- Muzaffarpur
======================================================
1. Manmohan S/o Banwarilal Kharwal @ Banwarilal R/O Village - Kishangarh
Rainwal, P. S - Kishangarh Rainwal, District - Jaipur, Rajasthan.
2. Rampal Verma S/o Hari Ram Verma R/O Village - Kishangarh Rainwal, P. S
- Kishangarh Rainwal, District - Jaipur, Rajasthan.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Nawal Kishor Prasad
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Pradeep Narain Kumar
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
5 22-06-2026 Heard the parties.
2. The petitioners seek regular bail in connection
with Excise P.S. Case No. 255 of 2026 registered for the offence
under Sections 30(a), 32(3) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise
Amendment Act, 2022.
3. As per the prosecution case, the recovery is of
3888 liters of illicit liquor from a truck of which the petitioners
were driver and cleaner.
4. The petitioners are in custody since 8.2.2026.
5. Since the petitioners have been found to be
carrying such a huge quantity of liquor fully knowing the fact
that liquor is banned in Bihar, this Court is not inclined to grant
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.25132 of 2026(5) dt.22-06-2026
2/2
bail to the petitioners.
6. Accordingly, this application is dismissed.
7. The trial of the petitioners is directed to be
expedited.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
Vikas/-
U
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