Patna High Court
Amit Kumar @ Amit PaswanversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- SATYAVRAT VERMA
Holding
The Court granted provisional anticipatory bail subject to bond, sureties and verification of the petitioner’s criminal antecedent.
Summary
Amit Kumar, the owner of a scooter from which 80 litres of liquor was seized, sought anticipatory bail fearing arrest under Sections 30(a) and 32(3) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act. He argued that he was not in possession of the liquor, was unaware of his friend’s misuse of the vehicle, and that ownership alone should not create criminal liability. The State opposed the bail. The Court, after considering the submissions, granted provisional anticipatory bail on the condition that the petitioner furnish a bail bond of Rs.20,000 with two sureties and that the trial court verify his criminal antecedent. If more than four prior cases are found, the bail will not be confirmed; if only four are found, the bail will be confirmed. The order is subject to the conditions of Section 438(2) of the Cr.P.C. and Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to anticipatory bail under Section 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code in a case of alleged possession of liquor under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act
- Whether ownership of the vehicle used in the alleged offence creates a presumption of guilt
- Effect of the petitioner’s prior criminal antecedent on the grant of anticipatory bail
Legislation cited
- Bihar Narcotic Substances (B.N.S.S.) — s. 482(2)
- Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act — s. 30(a), 32(3)
- Criminal Procedure Code — s. 438(2)
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- excise law
- vehicle ownership
- criminal antecedent
- Section 438 CrPC
- Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.38053 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-1308 Year-2025 Thana- Excise P.S. District- Gaya
======================================================
Amit Kumar @ Amit Paswan Son of Ganauri Paswan Resident of Village-
Bhadeja PS - Muffasil, Dist- Gaya
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Sudhir Kumar Sinha, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Abhay Kumar, A.P.P.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SATYAVRAT VERMA
ORAL ORDER
2 17-06-2026 1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and
learned A.P.P. for the State.
2. The petitioner apprehends his arrest in a case
registered for the offences punishable under Sections 30(a) and
32(3) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that
petitioner has antecedent of four cases under the Excise Act and
allegation is of recovery of 80 litres of liquor from a Scooty.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that
petitioner was not arrested from the spot, as such, nothing was
recovered from his conscious possession. It is further submitted
that petitioner came to be implicated based on the fact that he is
owner of the seized vehicle. It is further submitted that no
prudent person would use his own vehicle for committing an
occurrence and, thus, would create evidence against himself
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.38053 of 2026(2) dt.17-06-2026
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and, hence, would get implicated. It is also submitted that
petitioner was completely unaware that his friend would misuse
the vehicle in the manner as alleged who also fled from the spot.
5. Learned A.P.P. for the State opposes the prayer for
anticipatory bail of the petitioner.
6. Considering the submissions made by the learned
counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, let the petitioner,
above-named, in the event of his arrest or surrender within a
period of six weeks from today, be released on provisional
anticipatory bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.20,000/-
(Rupees Twenty Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount
each to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court where the case
is pending/Successor Court in connection with Gaya Excise P.S.
Case No. 1308 of 2025, subject to the conditions as laid down
under Section 438(2) of the Cr.P.C./482(2) of the B.N.S.S.
7. However, it is made clear that thereafter the learned
Trial Court shall verify the criminal antecedent of the petitioner
and if it is found that petitioner has antecedent of more than four
cases, it would be presumed that petitioner had concealed his
antecedent before this Court at para 3 of the anticipatory bail
application in that event the provisional anticipatory bail order
shall not be confirmed but if it is found on verification that
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.38053 of 2026(2) dt.17-06-2026
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petitioner has antecedent of only four cases in that event the
provisional anticipatory bail order shall be confirmed forthwith.
(Satyavrat Verma, J)
Kundan/-
U T
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