Patna High Court
Ramji ManjhiversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL REJECTED
- Bench
- PRABHAT KUMAR SINGH
Holding
Anticipatory bail was denied because the petition was filed after an inordinate delay and the offences involved were serious.
Summary
The petitioners, Ramji Manjhi, Budhu Manjhi and Jagar Nath Singh, sought anticipatory bail in a case registered in 2017 under sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code, alleging that they were being framed for forging documents to claim land belonging to Sukhan Dushadh’s family. The prosecution alleged that the accused conspired to suppress genuine documents and used forged papers to cheat the informant. The petitioners applied for bail more than nine years after the FIR was lodged, offering no satisfactory explanation for the delay. The Court examined whether anticipatory bail could be granted despite the extensive lapse and the seriousness of the offences. Considering the nature of the accusations, the long delay, and the lack of justification, the Court rejected the petition for anticipatory bail.
Issues considered
- Whether anticipatory bail can be granted when the application is filed after a delay of more than nine years from the date of FIR
- Whether the seriousness of offences under sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120(B) IPC precludes the grant of anticipatory bail
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code — s. 120(B), 420, 467, 468, 471
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- delay
- forgery
- cheating
- conspiracy
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.6172 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-299 Year-2017 Thana- CHAPRA TOWN District- Saran
======================================================
1 . Ramji Manjhi Son of Late Chandeshwar Manjhi Resident of Village-
Mubarakjpur, P.S.- Garkha, District- Saran at Chapra (Bihar)
2. Budhu Manjhi Son of Late Chhachhanu Manjhi Resident of Village-
Mubarakjpur, P.S.- Garkha, District- Saran at Chapra (Bihar)
3. Jagar Nath Singh Son of Late Baleshwar Singh @ Rameshwar Singh
Resident of Village- Badalpura, P.S.- Doriganj, District- Saran at Chapra
(Bihar)
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Rakesh Kumar , Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Tarun Prasad Mandal , APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PRABHAT KUMAR SINGH
ORAL ORDER
2 04-02-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and the
State .
2. Petitioners apprehend arrest in a case registered for
the offence punishable under section 420, 467, 468 , 471 and
120 ( B ) of IPC .
3 . As per the prosecution case, informant alleged that
the disputed land in question which belongs to family of one
Sukhan Dushadh and his descendants, accused persons under a
conspiracy deliberately suppressed earlier genuine documents,
records and produced forged and manipulated papers. It is
further alleged that accused persons used forged documents to
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6172 of 2026(2) dt.04-02-2026
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claim the title and possession and as such, cheated the
informant.
4. From bare perusal of impugned order, it appears that
petitioners seek anticipatory bail in connection with Chapra
Nagar P .S. Case No. 299 of 2017 which was instituted in the
year 2017 and petitioner has moved before this Court for
anticipatory bail after lapse of more than 9 years for which there
is no plausible explanation .
5. Considering the nature of accusation, delay in
moving the anticipatory bail before this Hon’ble Court i. e,.
after lapse of more than 9 years and and circumstances of the
case, prayer for pre-arrest bail of the petitioners is rejected.
(Prabhat Kumar Singh, J)
Koushik/-
U T
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