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Patna High Court

AASHIF @ MD. AASHIFversusThe State of Bihar

Decided
Disposal
BAIL GRANTED

Holding

Since the petitioner was not present at the place of occurrence and had no connection with the seized liquor or motorcycle, bail was granted subject to conditions.

Summary

Navin Kumar was named by a co-accused in a case alleging possession of 16 litres of country‑made liquor seized from a motorcycle under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act. The petitioner claimed he was not present at the scene, that the motorcycle belonged to the arrested co‑accused, and that his name appeared only due to village politics. The court examined the confessional statement and the seizure report and found no evidence of the petitioner’s presence or involvement. Considering his clean antecedent, the court ordered that he be released on bail upon surrender within six weeks, subject to a Rs.10,000 bond with two sureties and verification of his criminal antecedent. The bail order was made under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S. with a condition for cancellation if antecedents are concealed.

Issues considered

  • Whether the petitioner is liable for the offence under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act based on the co‑accused’s statement.
  • Whether bail can be granted to the petitioner under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S. given the facts.

Legislation cited

Subjects

  • bail
  • illicit liquor
  • Section 30(a)
  • Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act
  • confessional statement
  • clean antecedent
  • Section 482(2) B.N.S.S.

Judgment

                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                             CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 34134 of 2026
                      Arising Out of PS. Case No.-10 Year-2026 Thana- MAHALGAON District- Araria
                 ======================================================
                 Navin Kumar Son of Jagdish Vishwas Resident of Village- Tekni, Ward No.
                 -01, Panchayat- Chaukta, P.S.- Pahalgaon, District- Araria.

                                                                                  ... ... Petitioner/s
                                                       Versus
                 The State of Bihar

                                                        ... ... Opposite Party/s
                 ======================================================
                 Appearance :
                 For the Petitioner/s     :       Mr.Akhlaqur Rahman, Advocate
                 For the Opposite Party/s :       Mr.Manoj Kumar, APP
                 ======================================================
                 CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RITESH KUMAR
                                       ORAL ORDER

2   18-05-2026                    Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the

                   learned APP for the State.

                                   2. The petitioner apprehends his arrest in

                   connection with Mahalgaon P.S. Case No. 10 of 2026, for

                   allegedly having committed offence under Sections 30(a)of the

                   Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.

                                   3. As per the prosecution case, which has been

                   lodged on the basis of the written report submitted by the

                   informant to the effect that on the date of occurrence at about

                   06:00 AM, the informant along with police party was on

                   morning patrolling and vehicle checking drive. During course of

                   raid, when they reached near Taha chowk, at 11:45 AM, he

                   received a secret information that one person is carrying country

                   made liquor loaded on a motorcycle and is moving from Khata
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No. 34134 of 2026(2) dt.18-05-2026
                                            2/4




          Haat to Tekni. At about 12:08 PM, when the informant along

          with police party reached at bridge between village Bhuna and

          Banglakol, he saw three persons trying to flee away by turning

          their motorcycle, upon seeing the police party. One person was

          apprehended by the police after chase and two persons

          succeeded in fleeing away. The apprehended person disclosed

          his name as Dinesh Kumar and further disclosed the name of the

          two persons, who fled away as Navin Kumar (petitioner) and

          Bechan Viswas. Upon search of the motorcycle bearing

          Registration no. BR11AK5838, total 16 liters of Desi Chulai

          country made liquor was recovered.

                          4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits

          that the petitioner is innocent and has got no concern with the

          present case. His name transpired in the present case, only due

          to village politics and previous enmity with the apprehended

          accused person. Even the motorcycle, which has been seized

          from the place of occurrence is registered in the name of

          apprehended accused person. Petitioner has got no concern with

          the alleged liquor or the motorcycle. He further submits that the

          petitioner has got a clean antecedent.

                          5. The learned APP for the State vehemently

          opposes the prayer for bail of the petitioner.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No. 34134 of 2026(2) dt.18-05-2026
                                            3/4




                           6. Having heard the rival submissions and after

          going through the records, it appears that the petitioner was not

          present at the place of occurrence. His name transpired on the

          confessional statement of the co-accused, who was apprehended

          at the place of occurrence. Since, the petitioner was not present

          at the place of occurrence, there is no question of any recovery

          from him. Further the motorcycle, which was seized at the place

          of occurrence also belongs to the arrested person. The petitioner

          has got a clean antecedent. Considering the facts and

          circumstances of the case, let the petitioner, above named, in

          the event of arrest or surrender within a period of six weeks, 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 Session Judge-cum-

          Exclusive Special Excise Judge- II, Araria in connection with

          Mahalgaon P.S. Case No. 10 of 2026, subject to the conditions

          as laid down under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S., with further

          condition:

                       (1) The learned Court concerned shall verify the

          criminal antecedent of the petitioner and in case at any stage, it

          is found that the petitioner has concealed his criminal

          antecedents, the court concerned shall take steps for cancellation
           Patna High Court CR. MISC. No. 34134 of 2026(2) dt.18-05-2026
                                                       4/4




                     of bail bond of the petitioner. However, the acceptance of bail

                     bonds in terms of the above-mentioned order shall not be

                     delayed for purpose of or in the name of verification.



                                                 (Ritesh Kumar, J)
Ajay/Kunal/-

U      T


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