Patna High Court
Chandan ManjhiversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The petitioner is entitled to bail in the present case.
Summary
Chandan Manjhi applied for bail in a case registered under Sections 304B, 201, 34 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, alleging that he was falsely implicated in the dowry‑death of his sister‑in‑law. The prosecution alleged that the deceased was subjected to cruelty for non‑payment of dowry and was killed on 3 March 2020, implicating her husband as the main accused. The petitioner contended that he had committed no offence, was merely the brother‑in‑law of the deceased, and that the primary charge rested against the husband who was already in custody. The State opposed the bail, but the court, after hearing both sides and noting the petitioner’s claim of innocence and lack of direct involvement, decided to enlarge bail. Accordingly, the court ordered the petitioner to be released on a bail bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties of equal amount.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to bail despite the serious nature of the offences under IPC 304B, 201, 34 and the Dowry Prohibition Act
- Whether the evidence against the petitioner justifies denial of bail
Legislation cited
- Dowry Prohibition Act — s. 3
- Indian Penal Code — s. 201, 304B, 34
Subjects
- bail
- dowry death
- IPC 304B
- IPC 201
- IPC 34
- Dowry Prohibition Act
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.27382 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-53 Year-2020 Thana- KALYANPUR District- East Champaran
======================================================
Chandan Manjhi, Son of Sukhdeo Majhi @ Sikadev Manjhi, Resident of
Village- Shambhuchak, P.S.- Kalyanpur, District- East Chamaran, Motihari
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Upendra Kumar, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
2 23-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The petitioner has prayed for bail in connection
with Kalyanpur P.S. Case No. 53 of 2020 registered for the
offence punishable under Section 304(B), 201, 34 of the IPC
and Section ¾ of the D.P. Act.
3. The case of the prosecution, in short, is that the
petitioner is the brother-in-law of the deceased. The deceased
was married to one Naresh Manjhi. It is further alleged that she
was subjected to cruelty by her in-laws on account of non-
fulfillment of the dowry demand of motorcycle, gold chain and
cash of Rs. 25,000/-, and she was ultimately killed on
03.03.2020.
4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.27382 of 2026(2) dt.23-04-2026
2/2
petitioner has submitted that petitioner is innocent and has
committed no offence. He has been falsely implicated in this
case. Petitioner is the brother-in-law of the deceased and main
thrust of the allegation is against the husband of the deceased
who is already in custody. Moreover, the petitioner is
languishing in judicial custody since 28.01.2026.
5. The application for bail is 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 court
below/successor court in connection with Kalyanpur P.S. Case
No. 53 of 2020.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
khushbu/-
U T
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