Patna High Court
Raj Kumar Singh @ Raju Singh @ RajuversusThe State of Bihar through C.B.I.
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
Bail was granted to the petitioner subject to a bond of Rs.1,00,000 and two sureties, with conditions of passport surrender and cooperation with the trial.
Summary
Raj Kumar Singh was arrested for alleged involvement in a conspiracy to leak NEET 2024 question papers, charged under IPC sections 407, 408, 409 and 120B. The prosecution alleged that his guest house in Hazaribagh was used to train aspirants who later accessed the exam centre at night. Singh has been in custody since 20 July 2024, suffers from cerebral infarction, and the trial has not yet framed charges despite 589 witnesses. All co‑accused have already been released on bail, and the court noted the prolonged delay in the proceedings. Considering the health condition, the delay, and the bail granted to other accused, the court allowed Singh’s bail application subject to a bond and conditions.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to bail despite the seriousness of the offences under Sections 407, 408, 409 and 120B of the IPC
- Whether the delay in framing charges and the health condition of the petitioner justify the grant of bail
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code — s. 120B, 407, 408, 409
Subjects
- bail
- NEET question paper leak
- criminal conspiracy
- IPC sections 407, 408, 409, 120B
- health condition
- trial delay
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.62234 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-6 Year-2024 Thana- C.B.I CASE District- Patna
======================================================
Raj Kumar Singh @ Raju Singh @ Raju S/O Anil Kumar Singh R/O Village-
Kadma, P.O.- Kadma, PS- Katumdag, District- Hazaribagh, Jharkhand
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar through C.B.I.
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Apurv Harsh
Mr. Manu Tripurari
Mr. Raghu Raj Pratap
Mr. Hritik Anand
Ms. Jaya Singh
For the CBI : Mr. Dr. K.N. Singh(A.S.G.)
Mr. Nilanjan Chatterjee
Mr. Ujjawal Raj
Mr. Sahil Kumar
Mr. Anirvan Choudhari
Ms. Jyoti Prakash
For the State : Mr. Shyam Kumar Singh
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
5 18-02-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and
learned counsel for the CBI.
2. This is the second attempt of the petitioner for
grant of regular bail in connection with Shastri Nagar P.S. Case
No. 358 of 2024 registered for the offence under Sections 407,
408, 409, 120B of the Indian Penal Code. Subsequently, the case
was taken over by the CBI and re-registered as RC No.
221/2024/(E) 0006 on 23.06.2024 under Sections 120-B r/w
Sections 407, 408, 409 of the Indian Penal Code. Earlier the bail
application of the petitioner was rejected vide order dated
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.62234 of 2025(5) dt.18-02-2026
2/3
19.04.2025 passed in Cr. Misc. No. 4251 of 2025.
3. As per the prosecution case, petitioner is said to
be involved in training/preparing the aspirants of NEET, 2024 in
his resort/ guest house situated at Hazaribagh. The NEET
question papers were leaked and during investigation, it has
come that the petitioner’s guest house was used to prepare the
students and thereafter, the students went directly to their test
centre at 12.30 in the night.
4. The petitioner is in custody since 20.07.2024. 5.
It has been submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner
that all the accused persons have already been granted bail by
co-ordinate Benches of this Court including one accused, who
has been granted bail by the Hon’ble Supreme Court except the
petitioner. He further submits that there are 589 witnesses in the
trial and there is no chance that the trial will conclude in the
near future as the charges have not been framed yet. He next
submits that the petitioner is suffering from cerebral infraction.
5. Learned counsel for the CBI Mr. Nilanjan
Chatterjee has submitted that the next date fixed in the Court
below is 30.03.2026 but he does not deny the fact that till date,
charges have not been framed.
6. I have heard and considered the submission of
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.62234 of 2025(5) dt.18-02-2026
3/3
the parties.
7. Considering the fact that all the accused persons
have been granted bail, the period of custody of the petitioner
and the delay in the trial, this application is allowed.
8. Let the petitioner, above named, be released on
bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 1,00,000/- (One Lakh) with
two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the
learned Court of Special Judge CBI-II, Patna/concerned Court
below in connection with Shastri Nagar P.S. Case No. 358 of
2024 subject to the following conditions:-
(i)The petitioner is directed to surrender
his passport in the court below at the time of
furnishing his bail bonds.
(ii)The petitioner, after being released on
bail, is directed to co-operate in the trial and he
will appear personally in the trial Court as and
when asked by the Trial Judge.
9. Non-compliance of any of the aforesaid conditions
will result in cancellation of the bail bonds of the petitioner.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
Vikas/-
U
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