Patna High Court

Pritam Kumar @ Chhota @ ChhotuversusThe State of Bihar

Decided: 22 January 2026
Disposal: BAIL GRANTED
Bench: NAWNEET KUMAR PANDEY

Holding

The court granted regular bail to the petitioner subject to a bond, sureties and conditions of cooperation and verification of antecedent cases.

Summary

The petitioner, Pritam Kumar, was charged in connection with an armed robbery at a Tanishq showroom, alleged to have been committed by a group of seven criminals on 10 March 2025. He was accused under Sections 310(2) and 111(2) of the BNS and has been in custody since 21 March 2025. The petitioner claimed innocence, stating that only a confessional statement linked him to the crime and that no material was recovered from his possession. The State opposed bail, arguing that the petitioner had confessed to the offences. The Court examined the nature of the offences, the existence of a confessional statement, and the petitioner’s criminal antecedents, and decided to grant regular bail on a bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties, subject to verification of any other pending cases. The order also required the petitioner to cooperate with the trial and appear as directed by the court.

Issues considered

Whether regular bail can be granted to the petitioner despite a confessional statement and prior criminal antecedents
Whether the offences under Sections 310(2) and 111(2) of the BNS are bailable in the circumstances
Whether verification of the petitioner’s antecedent cases is a prerequisite before bail can be accepted

Legislation cited

BNS — s. 111(2), 310(2)

Subjects

regular bail
armed robbery
confessional statement
criminal antecedents
BNS
bailable offences
court conditions

Judgment

                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                              CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.62695 of 2025
                     Arising Out of PS. Case No.-171 Year-2025 Thana- ARA NAGAR District- Bhojpur
                 ======================================================
                 Pritam Kumar @ Chhota @ Chhotu Son of Bipin Choudhary R/o Vill -
                 Sahpur, P.S. - Tisiauta, Dist. - Vaishali.

                                                                                  ... ... Petitioner/s
                                                       Versus
                 The State of Bihar Bihar

                                                        ... ... Opposite Party/s
                 ======================================================
                 Appearance :
                 For the Petitioner/s      :      Mr.Akash Kumar Mishra, Adv.
                 For the State             :      Mr.J.N. Thakur, APP
                 ======================================================
                 CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NAWNEET KUMAR
                 PANDEY
                                       ORAL ORDER

4   22-01-2026                          Heard learned counsel for the petitioner as well as

                   learned APP for the State.

                                    2. In this case, the petitioner is seeking regular bail

                   in connection with Ara Town P.S. Case No. 171 of 2025,

                   registered for the offences punishable under Sections 310(2),

                   111(2) of the BNS.

                                    3. On 10.03.2025, at around 10:21 AM, seven

                   criminals committed a well-planned armed robbery at the

                   Tanishq showroom, Gopali Chowk, Ara. Two criminals entered

                   as customers, followed by others who overpowered the guard,

                   seized his weapon and held staff hostage at gunpoint. Thereafter,

                   jewellery was looted after breaking display counters. The

                   accused persons assaulted one employee with butt of the pistol
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.62695 of 2025(4) dt.22-01-2026
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          and threatened other staffs. Further, the criminals escaped with

          the looted jewellery.

                         4. The learned counsel for the petitioner has

          submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has falsely been

          implicated. Nothing has been recovered from his possession.

          Except confessional statement, there is nothing against him.

                       5. On the other hand, the learned APP for the State has

          opposed the prayer for bail and submitted that the petitioner has

          confessed his guilt.

                       6. The petitioner is under custody since 21.03.2025.

          Nothing has been recovered from his possession. He has

          criminal antecedents but not of similar nature.

                       7. Considering the above-mentioned facts and

          circumstances, let the petitioner above-named be released on

          bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties

          of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Chief

          Judicial Magistrate, Bhojpur at Ara in connection with Ara

          Town P.S. Case No. 171 of 2025, subject to the condition that

          the petitioner shall cooperate in the disposal of trial and make

          himself available as and when required by the court.

                       8. Before accepting the bail bond of the petitioner,

          the learned court below shall verify his criminal antecedent
           Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.62695 of 2025(4) dt.22-01-2026
                                                       3/3




                     and if it is found that he is involved in any other case except

                     the cases, as mentioned in para-3 of the bail petition, his bail

                     bond shall not be accepted.


                                          (Nawneet Kumar Pandey, J)

kundan/-
U      T

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