Patna High Court
Sonu Kumar Singh @ Sonu KumarversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- ARUN KUMAR JHA
Holding
The petitioner is entitled to bail and is released on condition of a bail bond and sureties.
Summary
The petitioner, Sonu Kumar Singh, was arrested in connection with a theft of Rs. 70 lakh from a cash replenishment van, alleged under Sections 316(2), 318(4), 303(2), 60 and later 317(2) of the Bihar Negotiable Security Act. The prosecution claimed the amount was recovered from the petitioner, while the defence argued the recovery was made before the petitioner’s confessional statement and that he was falsely implicated. The petitioner has a clean antecedent, has been in custody since 12‑05‑2025, and co‑accused have already been granted bail. The court considered the framing of charges, the length of custody, and the lack of a speedy trial. Relying on Section 480(3) of the B.N.S.S. and the circumstances, the court ordered the petitioner’s release on bail with a bond of Rs. 10,000 and two sureties, subject to conditions.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to bail despite the serious nature of the offences and the recovery of the stolen amount from him.
Legislation cited
- Bihar Negotiable Security Act — s. 303(2), 316(2), 317(2), 318(4), 480(3), 60
Subjects
- bail
- theft
- recovery of stolen property
- criminal procedure
- Section 480(3)
- clean antecedent
- co‑accused bail
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.32352 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-248 Year-2025 Thana- CHAPRA TOWN District- Saran
======================================================
Sonu Kumar Singh @ Sonu Kumar S/O Om Prakash Singh R/o Village-
Fakuil, P.S - Chapra Muffasil, District - Saran
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Sanjay Kumar Jha, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Nitya Nand Tiwary, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR JHA
ORAL ORDER
2 12-05-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
02. In the present case, the petitioner seeks bail in
connection with Town P.S. Case No. 248 of 2025 registered for
the alleged offences under Sections 316(2), 318(4), 303(2), 60
of BNS and later on, Section 317(2) of BNS has also been
added.
03. As per prosecution case, Rs. Seventy lakhs was
stolen from a cash replenishment van of the company of the
informant. The name of the petitioner transpired in this case for
being involved in the theft along with four other FIR named co-
accused persons.
04. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.32352 of 2026(2) dt.12-05-2026
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petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this
case. The looted amount of Rs. Seventy lakhs has already been
recovered though the recovery has been shown from the
petitioner but the said recovery was prior to the recording of the
confessional statement of the petitioner and it was at the
instance of statement of other co-accused persons. Co-accused
Krishna Kumar Singh and Ramesh Sah have been granted bail
by a learned Co-ordinate Bench vide orders dated 18.03.2026
and 03.04.2026 passed in Cr. Misc. Nos. 18523 of 2026 and
19630 of 2026, respectively. Learned counsel further submits
that the charges have been framed in this case on 09.10.2025
and 4 witnesses have been examined out of total 8 charge sheet
named persons and there is no possibility of early conclusion of
trial. The petitioner is having clean antecedent and he is in
custody since 12.05.2025.
05. Learned APP opposes the submission made on
behalf of the petitioner. Learned APP submits that the recovery
of Rs. Sixty Eight lakhs was made from the petitioner.
06. Having regard to the facts and circumstances and
submissions made on behalf of the parties and considering the
framing of charge and period of custody of the petitioner, the
petitioner above named is directed to be released on bail on
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.32352 of 2026(2) dt.12-05-2026
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furnishing bail bonds of Rs. 10,000/- (Ten Thousand) with two
sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned
Judicial Magistrate, Ist Class, Saran at Chapra/concerned Court
in connection with Town P.S. Case No. 248 of 2025, subject to
the conditions mentioned in Section 480(3) of B.N.S.S. and also
the following conditions :
(i) One of the bailors will be a close
relative of the petitioner.
(ii) The petitioner will remain present
on each and every date fixed by the
court below.
(iii) In case of absence on three
consecutive dates or in violation of the
terms of the bail, the bail bond of the
petitioner will be liable to be cancelled
by the court concerned.
(Arun Kumar Jha, J)
DKS/-
U T
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