Patna High Court
ManikversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA
Holding
The Court held that the allegations were vague and omnibus, and therefore the petitioner was entitled to bail.
Summary
Manik Grover was named in a complaint (Case No. 1562 of 2023) alleging offences under IPC Sections 498A, 379, 120B and Section 3 of the Domestic Violence Act for mental and physical cruelty linked to a purported dowry demand of Rs 40 lakh. The petitioner contended that the demand was a loan, not dowry, and that the marriage was inter‑caste; he also argued that the complainant left voluntarily and that the allegations were vague and omnibus. The State opposed bail, asserting the dowry demand and consequent cruelty. The Court examined whether the allegations were specific enough to justify denial of bail and considered the applicability of Section 482(2) of the CrPC. Finding the accusations to be general and lacking specificity, the Court directed that the petitioner be released on bail upon furnishing a bond and sureties. The order was made subject to the conditions prescribed under Section 482(2) of the CrPC.
Issues considered
- Whether the allegations under IPC Sections 498A, 379, 120B and the Domestic Violence Act are sufficient to deny bail.
- Whether the complaint’s allegations are specific or merely general and omnibus.
- Whether bail can be granted under Section 482(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code in the present circumstances.
Legislation cited
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — s. 482(2)
- Domestic Violence Act — s. 3
- Indian Penal Code — s. 120B, 379, 498A
Subjects
- dowry harassment
- IPC 498A
- bail
- domestic violence
- criminal conspiracy
- mental cruelty
- physical cruelty
- inter-caste marriage
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.35507 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-1562 Year-2023 Thana- GAYA COMPLAINT CASE District-
Gaya
======================================================
Manik S/O Surendra Grover R/O 162 A, Model Town, Fatehabad, P.S-
Fatehabad, Haryana. At present, Bank of Maharashtra, Sahakar Nagar Parvati
Paitha, Pune (Maharashtra).
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar
2. Saloni W/O Manik R/O 162A, Model Town, Fatehbad, P.S- Fatehbad,
Haryana. At present residing at Flat No. D/302, Rajvila, Gaya dobhi Road,
New Airport, P.S- Magadh Medical College, Distt.- Gaya.
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Anuj Kumar, Adv.
Mr. Aditya Pandey, Adv.
Ms. Eashita Raj, Adv.
For the State : Mr. Md. Matloob Rab, Adv.
For the Opposite Party/s: Mr. Rabia Gulnaz, Adv.
Mr. Ranjana Singh, Adv.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA
ORAL ORDER
7 21-01-2026 Heard the parties.
2. The petitioner is named in the complaint
case and apprehending his arrest in connection
with Complaint Case No. 1562 of 2023 registered
for the offences punishable under Sections 498A,
379, 120B of IPC and Section ¾ of D.P. Act.
3. The allegation against petitioner is
commit mental and physical cruelty upon
complainant due to non-fulfillment of demand of
dowry.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.35507 of 2025(7) dt.21-01-2026
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4. It is submitted by learned counsel
appearing on behalf of the petitioner that even as
per complaint petition it nowhere appears that the
demand of dowry in actual was raised rather
money was asked as a loan for purchasing flat. It is
submitted that petitioner is a P.O. of bank, whereas
O.P. No. 2/ complainant is a fashion designer and it
was inter caste marriage and when the
complainant faced inconvenience after joining her
matrimonial home she left on her own.
5. Arguing further, learned counsel for
petitioner drawn attention of this Court towards
the Court question asked to complainant while
recording her S.A. during inquiry that she would
not even join this petitioner as to continue her
marriage life even requested by her husband/
petitioner.
6. Arguing further, it is submitted that the
allegation is very much general and omnibus in
nature as to implicate entire family members.
While concluding argument, it is submitted that
petitioner is a man of clean antecedent.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.35507 of 2025(7) dt.21-01-2026
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7. Learned APP opposes the prayer of bail.
8. Mrs. Rabia Gulnaz, learned counsel for
the informant while opposing the prayer of bail
submitted that the petitioner and his family
member demanded dowry of Rs. 40 lakh and due
to non-fulfillment of the same committed mental
and physical cruelty upon complainant.
9. In view of aforesaid factual submission
and by taking note of fact as allegation qua
committing mental and physical assault appears
very much general and omnibus in nature,
accordingly petitioner above-named, in the event
of his arrest or surrender before the court below
within a period of four weeks, is directed to be
released on bail, furnishing bail bond of Rs.
10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) with two sureties
of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the
learned SDJM, Gaya /concerned Court, where the
case is pending in connection with Complaint Case
No. 1562 of 2023 , subject to the conditions as laid
down under Section 482(2) of BNSS.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.35507 of 2025(7) dt.21-01-2026
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(Chandra Shekhar Jha, J)
Sudha/-
U T
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