Patna High Court
Sanju Devi @ Manju DeviversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- ARUN KUMAR JHA
Holding
The Court granted bail to the petitioners subject to a bond of Rs 10,000 each and conditions prescribed under Section 480(3) of the BNSS.
Summary
Sanju Devi (mother‑in‑law) and Gendu Kewat (brother‑in‑law) were arrested in connection with the killing of the informant’s sister, allegedly over a demand of Rs 1.5 lakh, under Sections 80(2) and 61 of the BNS. The petitioners contended that they are innocent, that a family partition had already taken place, and that the deceased’s husband, who is already in custody, was responsible for the incident which led to the sister’s suicide. They highlighted their clean antecedents and pointed out that co‑accused persons had already been granted bail in a related case. The State opposed the bail on the ground of the seriousness of the offence. The Court, noting the vague and non‑specific nature of the allegations against the petitioners and their familial relationship to the deceased, ordered their release on bail subject to a bond of Rs 10,000 with two sureties and conditions under Section 480(3) of the BNSS.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to the petitioners accused under Sections 80(2) and 61 of the BNS.
- Whether the allegations against the petitioners are sufficiently specific to justify denial of bail.
Legislation cited
- Bihar Negotiable Substances Act — s. 480(3), 61, 80(2)
Subjects
- bail
- criminal procedure
- Section 80(2)
- Section 61
- Section 480(3)
- family dispute
- murder
- Bihar
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.6046 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-306 Year-2025 Thana- CHANDI District- Nalanda
======================================================
1. Sanju Devi @ Manju Devi Wife of Rajo Kewat Resident of village -
Dharampur, P.S.- Chandi, District - Nalanda
2. Gendu Kewat Son of Rajo Kewat Resident of village - Dharampur, P.S.-
Chandi, District - Nalanda
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Pankaj Kumar, Adv.
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Madan Kumar, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR JHA
ORAL ORDER
2 04-02-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned
A.P.P. for the State.
2. In the present case, the petitioners seek bail in
connection with Chandi P.S. Case No. 306 of 2025, registered
for the offences under Sections 80(2) and 61 of the BNS.
3. As per the prosecution case, sister of the informant
was killed by the petitioners and other co-accused persons on
account of non-fulfillment of demand of Rs. 1.5 lakh.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that
petitioners are mother-in-law and brother-in-law of the deceased
respectively and they are innocent and have not committed any
offence. Petitioners have been living separately from the
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6046 of 2026(2) dt.04-02-2026
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husband of the deceased and a partition had already taken place
in the family on 23.05.2025. The husband of the deceased is
already in custody. Due to exchange of hot words between the
husband and the wife(deceased), the sister of the informant
committed suicide. The petitioner has got clean antecedent and
he is in custody since 06.12.2025. Similarly placed co-accused
persons have been granted bail vide order dated 15.11.2025
passed in Cr. Misc. No. 65183 of 2025 by a learned Co-ordinate
Bench.
5. Learned A.P.P. appearing for the State opposes the
submission made on behalf of the petitioners.
6. Having regard to the fact and circumstances and
submission made on behalf of the parties and considering the
fact that the petitioners are stated to be in-laws of the deceased
and further considering the vague and non-specific nature of
allegation against the petitioners, the petitioners are directed to
be released on bail, on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.10,000/-
(Rupees Ten Thousand Only) each with two sureties of the like
amount each to the satisfaction of learned ACJM Hilsa
(Nalanda)/concerned court, in connection with Chandi P.S. Case
No. 306 of 2025, subject to the condition laid down under
Section 480(3) of the BNSS and other following conditions:
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(i) One of the bailors will be a close
relative of the petitioners.
(ii) The petitioners will remain present on
each and every date fixed by the court
below, if so required by the learned trial
court.
(iii) In case of absence on three
consecutive dates or in violation of the
terms of the bail, the bail bond of the
petitioners will be liable to be cancelled
by the court concerned.
(Arun Kumar Jha, J)
Anuradha/-
U T
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