Patna High Court
Pompa ChoudhuriversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- SUNIL DUTTA MISHRA
Holding
The Court granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to bail bond and surety conditions under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S.
Summary
The petitioner, Pompa Choudhuri, mother‑in‑law of an informant from Bangladesh, was implicated in a dowry‑related case (Patliputra P.S. Case No. 383 of 2025) under several sections of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita. The informant alleged that the petitioner and her son tortured her for dowry, while the petitioner contended she had already paid Rs.20,000 to the informant and had no involvement in the matrimonial dispute, which is pending before the Family Court. The petitioner, a sick woman with no criminal record, sought anticipatory bail, whereas the State and the informant opposed it, claiming she was evading address disclosure and not supporting the informant. The Court examined the facts, noting the petitioner’s lack of direct involvement and her cooperation with the investigation. It ordered that the petitioner be released on bail upon furnishing a bail bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties, subject to conditions under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S., 2023.
Issues considered
- Whether anticipatory bail should be granted to the petitioner under the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita.
- Whether the petitioner’s alleged involvement in dowry harassment warrants denial of bail.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita — s. 115(2), 126(2), 303(2), 3(5), 482(2), 85
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- dowry harassment
- criminal procedure
- Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita
- mother‑in‑law
- family dispute
- bail bond
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.3463 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-383 Year-2025 Thana- PATLIPUTRA District- Patna
======================================================
Pompa Choudhuri Wife of Late Devashish Choudhuri Resident of Flat No.-
406, Block - B, Wazir Apartment, Road No.- 3, New Patliputra Colony, Police
Station - Patliputra, District - Patna (Bihar).
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Ravish Mishra, Advocate
Ms. Keertika Sakshi, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Ram Anurag Singh, APP
Ms. Anukriti Jaipuriyar, Advocate
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SUNIL DUTTA MISHRA
ORAL ORDER
4 01-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned
counsel for the informant and learned A.P.P. for the State.
2. The petitioner apprehends her arrest in connection
with Patliputra P.S. Case No. 383 of 2025, instituted under
Sections 115(2), 126(2), 85, 303(2) and 3(5) of the B.N.S.
3. As per the prosecution case, informant, who is
originally resident of Bangladesh, was married with Abhishek
Choudhary (son of the petitioner) as per Bangladesh Hindu
Marriage Act, 2012. After some days of marriage, petitioner
along with co-accused Abhishek Choudhary started torturing the
informant for non-fulfillment of demand of dowry. It is alleged
that the informant used to give her earning to her husband but
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.3463 of 2026(4) dt.01-04-2026
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when she decided to settle in India with her husband after
resigning her job in Bangladesh they started torturing her
mentally and physically. When the informant came from
Bangladesh to India after resigning her job for living with her
husband she found her house locked. She tried to contact with
them but they did not entertain her call.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that
petitioner has already complied with the previous order dated
23.02.2026 by paying the amount of Rs. 20,000/- to the
informant. Learned counsel for informant conceded the said
fact.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that
petitioner is mother-in-law of the informant. Petitioner is not
concerned with the matrimonial and personal life of informant.
Divorce case is pending before learned Principal Judge, Family
Court, Patna. Mediation proceeding with the informant and her
husband is already going on in the Civil Court, Patna. There is
general and omnibus allegation against the petitioner. Informant
is living illegally in the house belongs to the petitioner.
Petitioner is a sick woman and is under medical treatment and
has no criminal antecedent. She undertakes to co-operate in the
investigation and trial.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.3463 of 2026(4) dt.01-04-2026
3/3
6. Learned counsel for the informant and learned
A.P.P. for the State oppose the prayer for anticipatory bail of the
petitioner and submit that petitioner is not providing present
address where she is residing. It is further submitted that
petitioner is not providing money to the informant for her
survival.
7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the
case, submission of learned counsel for the parties and petitioner
is mother-in-law of the informant and she has no concern with
the matrimonial affair of the informant and her husband, in the
event of arrest or surrender before the Court below within six
weeks from today, the petitioner be released on bail upon
furnishing bail bonds of Rs. 10,000/- (ten thousand) with two
sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned
A.C.J.M. Xth, Patna in connection with Patliputra P.S. Case No.
383 of 2025, subject to the conditions laid down in Section 482
(2) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (B.N.S.S.), 2023.
(Sunil Dutta Mishra, J)
rakhi/-
U T
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