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Patna High Court

Bharosi Mahton @ Ram Bharos MahtonversusThe State of Bihar

Decided
Disposal
BAIL GRANTED

Holding

Anticipatory bail is granted where allegations are non‑specific, but denied where a specific charge of assault causing death is made, as in the case of Gautam Mahton.

Summary

The petitioners applied for anticipatory bail in three criminal miscellaneous cases arising from a land dispute in Sahebpur Kamal where the informant alleged that a group of accused, including the petitioners, assaulted her husband, leading to his death. The court examined the FIR allegations, noting that specific assault charges were directed at Gajo Mahto and Gautam Mahton, while the other petitioners were implicated only in general, omnibus allegations. It held that anticipatory bail could be granted to those without specific charges, subject to conditions under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S., but denied bail to Gautam Mahton where a specific assault allegation was made. The court ordered the petitioners to furnish bail bonds of Rs 10,000 with two sureties each and directed the trial court to cancel bail if they fail to cooperate. The order was partially allowed, granting bail to petitioners 1 and 2 and rejecting it for petitioner 3.

Issues considered

  • Whether anticipatory bail should be granted to the accused under the offences listed in the B.N.S.
  • Whether the specific allegations against each accused justify denial of anticipatory bail
  • Whether conditions under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S. may be imposed on anticipatory bail

Legislation cited

  • B.N.S. — s. 109, 115(2), 126(2), 3(5), 351(2), 351(3), 352, 74
  • B.N.S.S. — s. 482(2)

Subjects

  • anticipatory bail
  • land dispute
  • assault
  • murder
  • Section 482
  • Bihar criminal law

Judgment

         IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                 CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.6507 of 2026
         Arising Out of PS. Case No.-318 Year-2025 Thana- SAHEBPUR KAMAL District-
                                            Begusarai
     ======================================================
1.    Bharosi Mahton @ Ram Bharos Mahton S/O Bishundeo Mahto @ Bishni
      Mahton Resident of Village- Sadpur, Ward No. 12, P.S- Sahebpur Kamal,
      District- Begusarai.
2.   Vikash Mahton S/O Shekho Mahton Resident of Village- Sadpur, Ward No.
     12, P.S- Sahebpur Kamal, District- Begusarai.

                                                                    ... ... Petitioner/s
                                          Versus
     The State of Bihar BIHAR
                                            ... ... Opposite Party/s
     ======================================================
                                           with
                 CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 6363 of 2026
         Arising Out of PS. Case No.-318 Year-2025 Thana- SAHEBPUR KAMAL District-
                                            Begusarai
     ======================================================
1.    Kundan Kumar @ Kundan Mahto S/O Keshi Mahton @ Kesri Prasad Singh
      Resident of Village- Sadpur, P.S.- Sahebpur Kamal, District- Begusarai.
2.   Kunal Kumar @ Kunal Mahto S/O Vidyanand Mahton Resident of Village-
     Sadpur, P.S.- Sahebpur Kamal, District- Begusarai.
3.   Chandra Sekhar Kumar @ Bhuttu Mahto S/O Keshi Mahton @ Kesi Prasad
     Singh Resident of Village- Sadpur, P.S.- Sahebpur Kamal, District-
     Begusarai.

                                                                    ... ... Petitioner/s
                                          Versus
     The State of Bihar Bihar
                                            ... ... Opposite Party/s
     ======================================================
                                           with
                CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 17517 of 2026
         Arising Out of PS. Case No.-318 Year-2025 Thana- SAHEBPUR KAMAL District-
                                            Begusarai
     ======================================================
1.    Vidya Nand Mahton @ Bidya Nand Mahto Son of Kari Mahton @
      Rameshwar Mahton Resident of Village- Sadpur, Ward No. 12, P.S.- S.
      Kamal, District- Begusarai
2.   Rajiv Mahton @ Rajiv Kumar Son of Kailu Mahton Resident of Village-
     Sadpur, Ward No. 12, P.S.- S. Kamal, District- Begusarai
3.   Gautam Mahton @ Gautam Kumar S/o Vidya Nand Mahton @ Bidya Nand
     Mahto Resident of Village- Sadpur, Ward No. 12, P.S.- S. Kamal, District-
     Begusarai
         Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6507 of 2026(4) dt.30-04-2026
                                                     2/11




                                                                        ... ... Petitioner/s
                                                       Versus
                 The State of Bihar Bihar
                                                        ... ... Opposite Party/s
                 ======================================================
                 Appearance :
                 (In CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 6507 of 2026)
                 For the Petitioner/s     : Mr. Binod Kumar
                                            Mr. Amit Prakash
                                            Mr.Amar Kumar Singh
                 For the Opposite Party/s : Ms.Pushpa Sinha
                                            Mr.Sandip Kumar Gautam
                 (In CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 6363 of 2026)
                 For the Petitioner/s     : Mr.Amar Kumar Singh
                 For the Opposite Party/s : Ms.Pushpa Sinha
                                            Mr.Sandip Kumar Gautam
                 (In CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 17517 of 2026)
                 For the Petitioner/s     : Mr.Amit Prakash
                 For the Opposite Party/s : Ms.Tapeshwar Sharma
                                            Mr.Sandip Kumar Gautam
                 ======================================================
                 CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SATYAVRAT VERMA
                                       ORAL ORDER

3   30-04-2026            CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.6507 of 2026

                                1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned

                   APP for the State and the learned counsel appearing on behalf of

                   the informant.

                                2. The petitioners seek bail in anticipation of their

                   arrest in a case registered for the offences punishable under

                   Sections 126(2), 115(2), 109, 74, 351(2), 351(3), 352, 3(5) of

                   the B.N.S.

                                3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that

                   the petitioners are persons with clean antecedent and the

                   informant alleges that on 08.11.2025, she along with her

                   husband and sister in -law had gone to their field when 15
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6507 of 2026(4) dt.30-04-2026
                                            3/11




          named accused persons including the petitioners came variously

          armed and Vidyanand said to plough the field of her husband

          (Shailesh) and if any one stopped then to kill, thereafter all the

          accused persons started ploughing her field and when her

          husband objected, Vidyanand gave orders to kill on which Gajo

          Mahto assaulted her husband by rod on head on account of

          which he bled from his nose and mouth, thereafter Gautam

          assaulted her husband by lathi causing injury on head and

          thereafter other accused also assaulted him. It is next alleged

          that when informant her sister in-law and Garib Yadav tried to

          save Shailesh, when accused persons assaulted them. Further,

          injured and her husband were taken to hospital and her husband

          during the course of treatment died on 19.11.2025. It is also

          alleged that accused persons were intending to grab her land.

                       4. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that

          from perusal of the allegations as alleged in the FIR, it would

          manifest that on account of dispute relating to land the

          occurrence is alleged to have taken place. It is also submitted

          that side of the petitioners are claiming the land as their while

          informant’s side is claiming that the land belongs to them. It is

          further submitted that from perusal of the allegations as alleged

          in the FIR, it would manifest that specific allegation of
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6507 of 2026(4) dt.30-04-2026
                                            4/11




          assaulting the husband of the informant is against Gajo Mahto

          and Gautam. It is next submitted that entire family members

          have been implicated with general and omnibus allegations. It is

          also submitted that if privilege of anticipatory bail is granted the

          petitioners will not abscond rather will cooperate in the

          investigation to prove their innocence.

                       5. Learned A.P.P. as well as informant opposes the

          anticipatory bail application, but then are not in a position to

          rebut the submissions of the learned counsel appearing on

          behalf of the petitioners that specific allegation of assaulting the

          husband of the informant by rod and lathi is against Gajo Mahto

          and Gautam.

                       6. Considering the submissions made by the learned

          counsel for the petitioners, the petitioners, above-named, in the

          event of their arrest or surrender before the learned Court below

          within a period of six weeks, are directed to be released on

          anticipatory bail on their furnishing bail-bonds in the sum of Rs.

          10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) each with two sureties of the

          like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court

          where the case is pending/successor Court in connection with

          Sahebpur Kamal P. S. Case No.318 of 2025, subject to the

          conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6507 of 2026(4) dt.30-04-2026
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                       7. The application stands allowed.

                       8. However, it is made clear that in the event, if any

          application is filed by the Investigating Officer before the

          learned trial Court bringing to its notice that petitioners, despite

          giving assurance to this Court, are not cooperating in the

          investigation or are not presenting themself as and when

          required, the learned trial Court shall be at liberty to cancel the

          bail bonds of the petitioners after recording reasons.

                       9. Let a copy of this order be sent to the concerned

          Police Station through the learned trial Court.

                       CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 6363 of 2026

                       1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned

          APP for the State and the learned counsel appearing on behalf of

          the informant.

                       2. The petitioners seek bail in anticipation of their

          arrest in a case registered for the offences punishable under

          Sections 126(2), 115(2), 109, 74, 351(2), 351(3), 352, 3(5) of

          the B.N.S.

                       3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that

          the petitioner nos.1 and 3 are persons with clean antecedent and

          petitioner no.2 has antecedent of one case and the informant

          alleges that on 08.11.2025, she along with her husband and
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6507 of 2026(4) dt.30-04-2026
                                            6/11




          sister in -law had gone to their field when 15 named accused

          persons including the petitioners came variously armed and

          Vidyanand said to plough the field of her husband (Shailesh)

          and if any one stopped then to kill, thereafter all the accused

          persons started ploughing her field and when her husband

          objected, Vidyanand gave orders to kill on which Gajo Mahto

          assaulted her husband by rod on head on account of which he

          bled from his nose and mouth, thereafter Gautam assaulted her

          husband by lathi causing injury on head and thereafter other

          accused also assaulted him. It is next alleged that when

          informant her sister in-law and Garib Yadav tried to save

          Shailesh, when accused persons assaulted them. Further, injured

          and her husband were taken to hospital and her husband during

          the course of treatment died on 19.11.2025. It is also alleged that

          accused persons were intending to grab her land.

                       4. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that

          from perusal of the allegations as alleged in the FIR, it would

          manifest that on account of dispute relating to land the

          occurrence is alleged to have taken place. It is also submitted

          that side of the petitioners are claiming the land as their while

          informant’s side is claiming that the land belongs to them. It is

          further submitted that from perusal of the allegations as alleged
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6507 of 2026(4) dt.30-04-2026
                                            7/11




          in the FIR, it would manifest that specific allegation of

          assaulting the husband of the informant is against Gajo Mahto

          and Gautam. It is next submitted that entire family members

          have been implicated with general and omnibus allegations. It is

          also submitted that if privilege of anticipatory bail is granted the

          petitioners will not abscond rather will cooperate in the

          investigation to prove their innocence.

                       5. Learned A.P.P. as well as informant opposes the

          anticipatory bail application, but then are not in a position to

          rebut the submissions of the learned counsel appearing on

          behalf of the petitioners that specific allegation of assaulting the

          husband of the informant by rod and lathi is against Gajo Mahto

          and Gautam.

                       6. Considering the submissions made by the learned

          counsel for the petitioners, the petitioners, above-named, in the

          event of their arrest or surrender before the learned Court below

          within a period of six weeks, are directed to be released on

          anticipatory bail on their furnishing bail-bonds in the sum of Rs.

          10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) each with two sureties of the

          like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court

          where the case is pending/successor Court in connection with

          Sahebpur Kamal P. S. Case No.318 of 2025, subject to the
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6507 of 2026(4) dt.30-04-2026
                                            8/11




          conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S.

                       7. The application stands allowed.

                       8. However, it is made clear that in the event, if any

          application is filed by the Investigating Officer before the

          learned trial Court bringing to its notice that petitioners, despite

          giving assurance to this Court, are not cooperating in the

          investigation or are not presenting themself as and when

          required, the learned trial Court shall be at liberty to cancel the

          bail bonds of the petitioners after recording reasons.

                       9. Let a copy of this order be sent to the concerned

          Police Station through the learned trial Court.

                  CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No. 17517 of 2026

                       1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned

          APP for the State and the learned counsel appearing on behalf of

          the informant.

                       2. The petitioners seek bail in anticipation of their

          arrest in a case registered for the offences punishable under

          Sections 126(2), 115(2), 109, 74, 351(2), 351(3), 352, 3(5) of

          the B.N.S.

                       3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that

          the petitioner nos.1 and 2 are persons with clean antecedent and

          petitioner no.3 has antecedent of one case and the informant
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6507 of 2026(4) dt.30-04-2026
                                            9/11




          alleges that on 08.11.2025, she along with her husband and

          sister in -law had gone to their field when 15 named accused

          persons including the petitioners came variously armed and

          Vidyanand said to plough the field of her husband (Shailesh)

          and if any one stopped then to kill, thereafter all the accused

          persons started ploughing her field and when her husband

          objected, Vidyanand gave orders to kill on which Gajo Mahto

          assaulted her husband by rod on head on account of which he

          bled from his nose and mouth, thereafter Gautam assaulted her

          husband by lathi causing injury on head and thereafter other

          accused also assaulted him. It is next alleged that when

          informant her sister in-law and Garib Yadav tried to save

          Shailesh, when accused persons assaulted them. Further, injured

          and her husband were taken to hospital and her husband during

          the course of treatment died on 19.11.2025. It is also alleged that

          accused persons were intending to grab her land.

                       4. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that

          from perusal of the allegations as alleged in the FIR, it would

          manifest that on account of dispute relating to land the

          occurrence is alleged to have taken place. It is also submitted

          that side of the petitioners are claiming the land as their while

          informant’s side is claiming that the land belongs to them. It is
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6507 of 2026(4) dt.30-04-2026
                                           10/11




          further submitted that from perusal of the allegations as alleged

          in the FIR, it would manifest that specific allegation of

          assaulting the husband of the informant is against Gajo Mahto

          and Gautam. It is next submitted that entire family members

          have been implicated with general and omnibus allegations. It is

          also submitted that if privilege of anticipatory bail is granted the

          petitioners will not abscond rather will cooperate in the

          investigation to prove their innocence.

                       5. Learned A.P.P. as well as informant opposes the

          anticipatory bail application. T the learned counsel appearing on

          behalf of the informant submits that no doubt speicfic allegation

          of assault is not alleged against the petitioner nos.1 and 2 but

          then petitioner no.3 Gautam is alleged to have assaulted the

          husband of the informant by lathi causing injury on head and

          her husband died subsequently during the course of treatment.

                       6. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties,

          the petitioner nos.1 and 2, above-named, in the event of their

          arrest or surrender before the learned Court below within a

          period of six weeks, are directed to be released on anticipatory

          bail on their furnishing bail-bonds in the sum of Rs. 10,000/-

          (Rupees Ten Thousand) each with two sureties of the like

          amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court where
               Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.6507 of 2026(4) dt.30-04-2026
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                         the case is pending/successor Court in connection with

                         Sahebpur Kamal P. S. Case No.318 of 2025, subject to the

                         conditions laid down under Section 482(2) of the B.N.S.S.

                                      7. The application stands allowed.

                                      8. However, it is made clear that in the event, if any

                         application is filed by the Investigating Officer before the

                         learned trial Court bringing to its notice that petitioners, despite

                         giving assurance to this Court, are not cooperating in the

                         investigation or are not presenting themself as and when

                         required, the learned trial Court shall be at liberty to cancel the

                         bail bonds of the petitioners after recording reasons.

                                      9. Let a copy of this order be sent to the concerned

                         Police Station through the learned trial Court.

                                      10.   So far as petitioner no.3, Gautam Mahton @

                         Gautam Kumar is concerned, the Court is not inclined to extend

                         the privilege of anticipatory bail to the petitioner no.3.

                                      11. The    prayer of the petitioner no.3, Gautam

                         Mahton @ Gautam Kumar for anticipatory bail stands

                         rejected.


                                                   (Satyavrat Verma, J)
vikash/-

U          T


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