Patna High Court
Bhola SahaniversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA
Holding
Bail was granted to the petitioner as the recovery of liquor was not shown to be from his conscious physical possession.
Summary
The petitioner, Bhola Sahani, was arrested in connection with a case alleging illegal manufacturing and trading of illicit liquor under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise (Amendment) Act, 2022, after 124.5 litres of liquor were recovered from a motorcycle. The petitioner contended that the seized liquor was not in his physical possession and that the seizure list lacked independent witnesses, emphasizing his clean antecedent. The State opposed bail, arguing the seriousness of the offence. The court examined the factual submissions and noted the lack of direct possession, finding the allegation prima facie weak. Consequently, the court ordered the petitioner’s release on bail with a bond of Rs. 10,000 and two sureties, subject to conditions under Section 482(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner was in actual possession of the seized illicit liquor.
- Whether the seizure list is reliable and supported by independent evidence.
- Whether bail should be granted in a case under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise (Amendment) Act, 2022.
Legislation cited
- Bihar Prohibition and Excise (Amendment) Act, 2022 — s. 30(a)
- Code of Criminal Procedure — s. 482(2)
Subjects
- bail
- illicit liquor
- possession
- seizure
- clean antecedent
- prohibition act
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.36748 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-261 Year-2025 Thana- GHORASAHAN District- East
Champaran
======================================================
Bhola Sahani Son of Bipat Sahani Resident of Village- Naryanpur
(Harinarayanpur, Narayanpu), Ward No. 04, P.S.- Ghorasahan, District- East
Champaran. ... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar. ... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Ajay Kumar Singh, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Shailendra Kumar, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA
ORAL ORDER
2 08-06-2026 Heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
petitioner and learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on
behalf of the State.
2. The accused/petitioner apprehending his arrest in
connection with Ghorasahan P.S. Case No. 261 of 2025
registered for the offences punishable under Section 30(a) of
the Bihar Prohibition and Excise (Amendment) Act, 2022.
3. The allegation against the petitioner is to be
engaged in illegal trading/manufacturing of illicit liquor, where,
there is recovery of 124.50 litres of IMFL/Nepali liquor from the
motorcycle.
4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
petitioner submitted that admittedly the recovery of illicit liquor
was not made from physical possession of this petitioner. It is
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.36748 of 2026(2) dt.08-06-2026
2/2
pointed out that the seizure list appears doubtful being not
supported by independent witnesses. Petitioner claimed clean
antecedent.
5. Learned APP opposed the prayer of bail.
6. In view of aforesaid factual submission and by
taking note of fact as recovery of illicit liquor prima facie not
appears to be made from the conscious physical possession of
this petitioner, who is a man of clean antecedent, accordingly,
above named petitioner, in the event of his arrest or surrender
before the learned trial Court, within a period of four weeks of
the order, 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 Exclusive
Special Excise Court No. 3 I/C, East Champaran at
Motihari/concerned Court, where the case is pending in
connection with Ghorasahan P.S. Case No. 261 of 2025, subject
to the conditions as laid down under Section 482(2) of the BNSS.
(Chandra Shekhar Jha, J)
veena/-
U T
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