Patna High Court
Ranjeet MarandiversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- R P MISHRA
Holding
The Court granted bail to the petitioner.
Summary
The petitioner, Ranjeet Marandi, was arrested in connection with a case alleging that 60 litres of liquor were recovered from bushes, violating Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act. The prosecution presented no incriminating material found in the petitioner's possession, and the petitioner claimed he was falsely implicated. He has one prior criminal antecedent, and the State did not comply with Section 103 of the BNSS, 2023 regarding bail procedures. The State opposed bail, but the Court considered the lack of direct evidence, the circumstances of the recovery, and the procedural lapse. Consequently, the Court granted bail on a bond of Rs.15,000 with two sureties of the same amount.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to the accused under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act in the absence of incriminating material and with a prior criminal antecedent
- Whether the non‑compliance with Section 103 of the BNSS, 2023 affects the grant of bail
Legislation cited
- BNSS, 2023 — s. 103
Subjects
- bail
- prohibition law
- excise
- liquor seizure
- criminal procedure
- Section 30(a)
- Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act
- BNSS
- Section 103
- antecedent
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.4476 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-1297 Year-2025 Thana- Excise P.S. District- Jamui
======================================================
Ranjeet Marandi S/O Late Somra Marandi R/O Village- Asnalebar, Police
Station- Sono, District- Jamui.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Pankaj Kumar Sinha, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Nityanand, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RUDRA PRAKASH
MISHRA
ORAL ORDER
2 27-01-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned APP
for the State.
2. The petitioner seeks bail in connection with Jam
(Jamui) PS Case No. 1297 of 2025 instituted for the offences
under Section/s 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.
3. The prosecution case, in short, is that 60 liters
liquor was recovered from bushes.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the
present case. No incriminating material has been recovered from
the conscious possession of the petitioner. The petitioner has got
no concern with the alleged recovery of liquor. It is submitted
that recovery is from an open place, which is accessible to one
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.4476 of 2026(2) dt.27-01-2026
2/2
and all. The petitioner is in custody since 14.12.2025 and has
got one criminal antecedent/s. There is no compliance of
Section 103 of the BNSS, 2023.
5. Learned A.P.P. for the State has vehemently
opposed the prayer for grant of bail to the petitioner.
6. Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances
of the case and the period of custody undergone by the
petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.
7. Let the petitioner be released on bail on furnishing
bail bonds of Rs.15,000/- (Fifteen thousand) with two sureties
of the like amount each to the satisfaction of Court
below/concerned Court in connection with Jam (Jamui) PS
Case No. 1297 of 2025.
(Rudra Prakash Mishra, J)
Raj Kishore/-
U T
Checking your session…