Patna High Court
Manjar AalamversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The court granted regular bail to the petitioner.
Summary
The petitioner, Manjar Aalam, sought regular bail in a case registered under sections 178, 179, 180 and 61(2) of the B.N.S., alleging possession of 75 counterfeit Rs.500 notes. The petitioner claimed innocence, arguing that the notes were his genuine currency and that the FIR did not explain how the informant concluded they were counterfeit. The State opposed bail, noting that the forensic laboratory report was pending, a charge sheet had been filed, and the petitioner had a prior criminal antecedent. After hearing both sides, the court considered the lack of forensic evidence and the petitioner’s prolonged custody since 20‑08‑2025. The court ordered the petitioner’s release on regular bail upon furnishing a bail bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties of equal amount.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail can be granted in a case involving alleged counterfeit currency under sections 178, 179, 180 and 61(2) of the B.N.S.
- Whether the absence of a forensic laboratory report and the existence of a prior criminal antecedent justify denial of bail
Legislation cited
- B.N.S. — s. 178, 179, 180, 61(2)
Subjects
- bail
- counterfeit currency
- sections 178 179 180 61(2) B.N.S.
- criminal antecedent
- forensic report pending
- regular bail
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.81428 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-444 Year-2025 Thana- BANJARIA District- East Champaran
======================================================
Manjar Aalam S/o Adalat Miya R/o vill - Janerwa, Ward No 11, Ps- Banjriya,
District- East Champaran
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Brajendra Nath Pandey, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
3 06-02-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The petitioner has prayed for regular bail in a case
registered for the offence punishable under sections 178, 179,
180 and 61(2) of B.N.S.
3. The case of the prosecution is that from the
possession of this petitioner, altogether 75 notes of five hundred
currency which is alleged to be counterfeit was recovered.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner is innocent and has committed no offence. Learned
counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the alleged
currency which has been recovered is not counterfeit rather it is
the currency of the petitioner. Learned counsel has further
submitted that it is not clear from the FIR or even in
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.81428 of 2025(3) dt.06-02-2026
2/2
investigation as to how the informant has come to the
conclusion that the notes are counterfeit. Moreover, the
petitioner is languishing in judicial custody since 20.08.2025.
5. Learned APP appearing for the State has
vehemently opposed the prayer of regular bail and has
submitted that the said notes were sent to the FSL for report but
the report is still awaited. Meanwhile, charge sheet has been
submitted. Petitioner is having one criminal antecedent.
6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and
considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this court is
inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail. The above named
petitioner is directed to be released on bail in connection with
Banjariya P.S. Case No. 444 of 2025 on furnishing bail bond of
Rs.10,000/- (ten thousand) with two sureties of the like amount
each to the satisfaction of learned C.J.M., East Champaran
Motihari.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
Shubham/-
U T
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