Patna High Court
Karan Kumar @ Chunnu Kumar ManjhiversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISMISSED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
The Court held that anticipatory bail could not be granted and dismissed the petition.
Summary
The petitioners, four members of the Manjhi family, applied for anticipatory bail fearing arrest in a case (PS Case No. 166 of 2025) alleging molestation of minor victims and subsequent assault. The prosecution alleged that the petitioners participated in molesting the minors and, when protested, assaulted them, invoking sections 126(2), 115(2), 191(3), 118(2), 117(3), 109, 352 and 351(2) of the Indian Penal Code. The petitioners contended they had not assaulted anyone, noting clean antecedents for two of them, while the others had prior criminal records. The State opposed the bail on the ground of the serious nature of the alleged offences involving minors. The Court, after considering the allegations and the seriousness of the charges, concluded that the case was not suitable for anticipatory bail and dismissed the application.
Issues considered
- Whether anticipatory bail should be granted to the petitioners accused of molestation and assault of minor victims under the specified IPC sections.
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code — s. 109, 115(2), 117(3), 118(2), 126(2), 191(3), 351(2), 352
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- molestation
- assault
- minor victims
- Indian Penal Code
- criminal antecedent
- bail denial
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.44857 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-166 Year-2025 Thana- MADHAURAH District- Saran
======================================================
1. Karan Kumar @ Chunnu Kumar Manjhi S/o Late Bhuteli Manjhi @ Alam
Babu Manjhi R/o Village- Dhenuki, ward no 9, P.S.- Marhowrah, Distt-
Saran at Chapra
2. Vinod Kumar @ Vinod Manjhi S/o Late Arjun Manjhi R/o Vill- Dhenuki,
Ward No. 9, P.S.- Madhowrah, Distt- Saran at Chapra
3. Bittu Kumar @ Bittu Manjhi @ Soraj Kumar Manjhi S/o Late Arjun Manjhi
R/o Vill- Dhenuki, Ward No. 9, P.S.- Madhowrah, Distt- Saran at Chapra
4. Manoj Kumar Manjhi @ Manoj Manjhi S/o Late Jaymangal Majhi R/o Vill-
Dhenuki, Ward No. 9, P.S.- Madhowrah, Distt- Saran at Chapra
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Vijay Kumar, Advocate
For the Informant : Mr.Harish Kumar, Advocate
For the State : Mr.Rajesh Kumar, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
5 19-02-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned
A.P.P. for the State.
2. The petitioners apprehend their arrest in
connection with Marhaura P.S. Case No. 166 of 2025 instituted
under Sections 126(2), 115(2), 191(3), 118(2), 117(3), 109,
352, 351(2) of the B.N.S.
3. As per the prosecution case, initially accused
persons are alleged to have molested the minor victims and
when it was protested, accused persons including the
petitioners have assaulted them.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.44857 of 2025(5) dt.19-02-2026
2/2
4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that
the petitioners have not assaulted anyone. Petitioner nos. 1 and
3 have clean antecedent, petitioner no. 4 has three criminal
antecedent and petitioner no. 2 has one criminal antecedent.
5. Learned APP for the State has opposed the prayer
for anticipatory bail of the petitioners on the ground that they
molested minor victims.
6. Considering the aforesaid facts, this is not a fit
case for grant of anticipatory bail.
7. Accordingly, the application stands dismissed.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
tusharika/-
U T
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