Patna High Court
Ranjeet Kumar @ Ranjit Kushwaha @ Triwedi @ Ranjeet Kumar TrivediversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISMISSED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
The court declined to grant bail, dismissing the petition.
Summary
The petitioner, Ranjeet Kumar, was charged under Sections 395 and 397 of the Indian Penal Code for a dacoity in a bank that resulted in a loss of Rs. 48 lakhs, of which Rs. 2 lakhs were recovered from him. He gave a self‑incriminating statement and has been in custody since 20‑04‑2023. He applied for bail, arguing that the trial was delayed because witnesses were not being examined. The court considered the seriousness of the offences, the amount involved, and the petitioner’s confession, and concluded that bail could not be granted. Consequently, the bail application was dismissed. The court also directed the Superintendent of Police to ensure the attendance of the witnesses so that the trial can proceed.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to an accused of dacoity and robbery under Sections 395 and 397 IPC, given the gravity of the offence and a self‑incriminating confession.
- Whether the non‑appearance of witnesses and consequent trial delay warrant a direction to the police to secure their attendance.
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code — s. 395, 397
Subjects
- bail
- dacoity
- robbery
- Indian Penal Code
- trial delay
- witness attendance
- self‑incrimination
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.54977 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-135 Year-2023 Thana- CHAKIA District- East Champaran
======================================================
Ranjeet Kumar @ Ranjit Kushwaha @ Triwedi @ Ranjeet Kumar Trivedi S/o
Kailash Bhagat R/o Village -Bhikhanpura, P.S- Ahiyapur, District-
Muzaffarpur.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Mukesh Kumar Jha, Advocate
For the State : Mr. Jharkhandi Upadhyay, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
5 25-03-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The petitioner seeks bail in connection with
Chakiya P.S. Case No. 135 of 2023 registered for the offence
punishable under Sections 395 and 397 of the Indian Penal
Code.
3. Unknown criminals committed dacoity in the Bank
and looted Rs. 48 lakhs. Two lakhs looted amount has been
recovered from the petitioner. Apart from the recovery, the
petitioner has given a self inculpatory statement confessing his
guilt.
4. The petitioner is in custody since 20.04.2023.
5. Considering the gravity of the offence, this Court is
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.54977 of 2025(5) dt.25-03-2026
2/2
not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.
6. Accordingly, the application stands dismissed.
7. During the course of argument, it has been
submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that in the trial,
witnesses are not being examined though the charge was framed
on 20.05.2024 and from the report of the trial Judge, it appears
that the witnesses are not appearing in the trial.
8. In these circumstances, the Superintendent of
Police, East Champaran, Motihari is directed to ensure the
attendance of the witnesses in the trial so that the trial proceeds.
9. Let a copy of this order be communicated to the
Superintendent of Police, East Champaran, Motihari through
FAX or e-mail for its compliance.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
P. Kumar
U T
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