Patna High Court
Sonu Sangahi @ Sonu KumarversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA
Holding
The court granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner, directing his release on bond and sureties.
Summary
The petitioner, Sonu Sangahi, was named in an FIR for alleged involvement in the death of his sister‑in‑law, the daughter of the informant, allegedly due to non‑fulfilment of a dowry demand for a Scorpio car. The petitioner argued that the dowry demand was made collectively by seven co‑accused and that his role was limited to a reminder, not a specific demand, and that the death appeared to be a suicide based on the post‑mortem. The State contended that the death was a dowry‑related homicide and that the petitioner was part of the conspiracy. The court examined the lack of direct assault allegations against the petitioner, the ambiguous cause of death, and the fact that other co‑accused had already been granted anticipatory bail. Finding insufficient grounds to deny bail, the court ordered the petitioner’s release on bail with a bond and sureties, subject to Section 482(2) of the BNSS.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to anticipatory bail despite being named in the FIR for dowry death.
- Whether the dowry demand was specifically made by the petitioner or was a general demand by co‑accused.
- Whether the death of the informant's daughter can be conclusively linked to dowry demand or is a suicide.
Legislation cited
- Bihar Negotiable Sale (BNS) — s. 3(5), 80
- Bihar Negotiable Sale (BNSS) — s. 482(2)
Subjects
- dowry death
- anticipatory bail
- Section 80
- Section 3(5)
- Section 482(2)
- suicide
- brother‑in‑law
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.40200 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-13 Year-2026 Thana- BIHPUR District- Bhagalpur
======================================================
Sonu Sangahi @ Sonu Kumar Son of Yamuna Sangahi Resident of Village
Amarpur, P.S.- Bihpur, District - Bhagalpur
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Ajay Thakur, Adv
: Mr. Anupa Nand Jha, Adv
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Ramchandra Sahni, APP
For the Informant : Mr. Deepak Kumar, Adv
: Ms. Parishmita Bora, Adv
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA
ORAL ORDER
2 23-06-2026 Heard the parties.
2. The petitioner is named in the F.I.R. and
apprehending his arrest in connection with Bihpur P.S. Case No.
13/2026 registered for the offences punishable under Sections 80
and 3(5) of the BNS
3. The allegation against petitioner is to cause death of
daughter of informant along with other co-accused persons/family
members due to non-fulfillment of demand of dowry as raised for
one scorpio car.
4. Mr. Ajay Thakur, learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the petitioner submitted that from the perusal of FIR it
appears clearly at first instance that demand of scorpio car as
dowry was made entirely by 7 co-accused persons including this
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.40200 of 2026(2) dt.23-06-2026
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petitioner and, therefore, it can be said safely that demand was
general and omnibus. In this context it is further pointed out that
subsequently, it is alleged regarding this petitioner that he
reminded aforesaid demand to informant on 14.01.2026, while
he visited his home on the occasion of Tila Sankranti. It is
submitted that raising demand of dowry and reminding demand
of dowry are two different aspects. It is further submitted that
through same FIR it is alleged that daughter of informant
witnessed her husband establishing physical relationship with wife
of his elder brother due to which, she was assaulted by her
mother-in-law and wife of his elder brother on 16.01.2026 the
day on which she died in her matrimonial home. It is submitted
that allegation of assault is not available against this petitioner as
same is available against mother-in-law and elder sister-in-law
(jethani), who have already granted anticipatory bail by learned
trial court, itself. It is submitted that allegation of demand of
scorpio is also available against mother-in-law, elder sister-in-law,
though it was general and omnibus in nature and merely it was
alleged to remind by petitioner, while visiting the house of the
informant on 14.01.2026, it cannot be said that aforesaid
demand was raised specifically by this petitioner, who is brother-
in-law.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.40200 of 2026(2) dt.23-06-2026
3/4
5. It is submitted that out of oblique motive to harras
the entire family members, the petitioner being brother-in-law
implicated with the present case, otherwise having no connection
with daily and domestic affairs with deceased and her husband.
Petitioner claimed clean antecedent.
6. Learned APP duly assisted by learned counsel for
the informant, while opposing the prayer of bail submitted that
daughter of informant was killed within two months of the
marriage in her matrimonial home due to non-fulfillment of
demand of dowry. However, he fairly conceded that mother-in-
law and elder sister-in-law were granted anticipatory bail by
learned trial court, itself for which cancellation of bail has already
been filed.
7. Countering aforesaid submission, Mr. Thakur
submitted that the aforesaid argument as daughter of informant
was killed not appears convincing, in view of post-mortem of the
deceased, which suggest she committed suicide as except ligature
mark no injury was found upon her body as alleged. It is
submitted that occurrence is also doubtful, whether it was caused
due to non-fulfillment of demand of dowry or was due to illicit
relationship. It is also submitted that post-mortem failed to
opined cause of death and still the opinion is awaited in this
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.40200 of 2026(2) dt.23-06-2026
4/4
regard.
8. In view of aforesaid factual submission and by
taking note of fact as petitioner is brother-in-law of the deceased,
against whom allegation of assault is not available, where
informant prima-facie not sure whether occurrence took place
due to non-fulfillment of dowry demand or illicit relationship of
husband of the deceased with wife of his elder brother ( bhabhi),
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 JM 1 st Class,
Naugachiya/concerned Court, where the case is pending in
connection with Bihpur P.S. Case No. 13/2026, subject to the
conditions as laid down under Section 482(2) of BNSS.
(Chandra Shekhar Jha, J)
S.Tripathi/-
U T
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