Patna High Court
Reena Devi @ Reena KumariversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
The court granted bail to both petitioners, finding no material evidence against them and concluding that the death was likely a suicide.
Summary
The petitioners, Reena Devi and Chandan Kumar, were arrested in connection with a murder case (IPC sections 302 and 34) arising from PS Masaurhi Case No. 170 of 2023. The prosecution alleged that the deceased, a student, was killed by the petitioners, while the petitioners contended that the death was a suicide and they were falsely implicated. Investigation revealed that the deceased had broken a CCTV camera and subsequently committed suicide, and that Chandan Kumar was not present at the scene when the death occurred. The court found no material linking Reena Devi to the crime and considered the suicide theory credible. Consequently, the court allowed the bail applications, directing the petitioners to be released on bail upon furnishing a bond of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to the accused in a murder case where the death is alleged to be a suicide and there is insufficient evidence linking the accused to the offence
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code — s. 302, 34
Subjects
- bail
- murder
- suicide
- IPC 302
- IPC 34
- criminal procedure
- evidence
- high court
- Masaurhi
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.2942 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-170 Year-2023 Thana- MASAUDHI District- Patna
======================================================
Reena Devi @ Reena Kumari W/o Chandan Kumar R/o Village - Kumhar
Toli, P.S - Mashauri, District - Patna
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
with
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 9749 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-170 Year-2023 Thana- MASAUDHI District- Patna
======================================================
Chandan Kumar Son of Vijay Kumar Singh R/o Village - Kumhar Toli, P.S. -
Mashauri, Dist. - Patna.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
(In CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 2942 of 2026)
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Alok Kumar Sinha, Sr. Adv.
Mr.Bhola Kumar
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Pramod Kumar Pandey
For the Informant : Mr. Awadhesh Kumar Mishra
Ms. Shivani Mishra
Ms. Pragati Singh
Mr. Shashank Shekhar
Ms. Vidhi Shree
(In CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 9749 of 2026)
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Alok Kumar Sinha, Sr. Adv.
Mr.Bhola Kumar
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Manoj Kumar
Mr. Jharkhandi Upadhyay
For the Informant : Mr. Awadhesh Kumar Mishra
Ms. Shivani Mishra
Ms. Pragati Singh
Mr. Shashank Shekhar
Ms. Vidhi Shree
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
3 25-03-2026 Heard the parties in both the aforesaid cases.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.2942 of 2026(3) dt.25-03-2026
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2. The petitioner of both the aforesaid cases seek
bail in connection with Masaurhi P.S. Case No. 170 of 2023 /
S.Tr. No. 1740 of 2025 registered for the offence under Sections
302/34 of the Indian Penal Code.
3. As per the prosecution case, the deceased was a
student in the school of the petitioners, who was said to have
been killed by the accused persons including the petitioners.
4. The petitioners are in custody since 25.04.2025.
5. It has been submitted by the learned senior
counsel for the petitioners that the petitioners are innocent and
they have falsely been implicated in this case. He further
submits that the deceased was a young boy and had committed
suicide and after the suicide was discovered, the family
members including the father of the deceased were also
informed who came at the place of occurrence and had said that
they did want to lodge any FIR and also did not want post-
mortem to be done. He next submits that the body was taken
away by the family and after two days, the FIR was lodged.
6. Learned senior counsel for the petitioners
further submits that some students of the school have said that
the deceased has committed suicide.
7. Learned counsel for the informant and the State
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.2942 of 2026(3) dt.25-03-2026
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have vehemently opposed the application of the petitioners and
have said that the brother of the deceased has said that he saw
his brother being assaulted by the petitioner Chandan Kumar
and he was kept locked in a room.
8. I have considered the submission of the parties.
9. It has come during investigation that the
deceased had broken the CCTV camera and subsequently has
committed suicide. It has also come that Chandan Kumar was
not present at the place of occurrence when suicide was
committed by the deceased and when he learnt about the
incident, he rushed to the place of occurrence. So far as the
petitioner Reena Devi is concerned, there is no material against
her to connect her with the crime and it appears that the
deceased has committed suicide.
10. In view of the aforesaid discussions, both the
aforesaid cases are allowed.
11. Let the petitioner, of both the aforesaid cases,
be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Ten
Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the
satisfaction of the learned Additional Sessions Judge-1,
Masaurhi, Patna/concerned Court below in connection with
Sessions Trial No. 1740 of 2025 arising out of Masaurhi P.S.d
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.2942 of 2026(3) dt.25-03-2026
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Case No. 170 of 2023.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
Vikas/-
U
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