Patna High Court
Ranjit SahaniversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- REJECTED
- Bench
- RAJESH KUMAR VERMA
Holding
Bail was denied to the petitioner.
Summary
The petitioner, Ranjit Sahani, was arrested on 31 March 2025 in connection with a FIR alleging that he raped and molested a young woman in Rampur Hari, Muzaffarpur. He applied for bail, claiming a clean record and that the FIR was false and delayed. The prosecution, represented by an APP, opposed bail, citing the victim’s recorded statement under Sections 180/183 of the Indian Evidence Act and the fact that the trial had already commenced with several witnesses examined. The Court noted the seriousness of the offences under the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act, the victim’s support for the prosecution, and the ongoing trial, and therefore refused the bail application. The trial court was directed to expedite the proceedings.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to the accused in a rape and molestation case under the IPC and POCSO Act.
- Whether the delay in filing the FIR and the alleged falsehood of the complaint affect the bail decision.
Legislation cited
- Indian Evidence Act, 1872 — s. 180, 183
- Indian Penal Code — s. 126(2), 351(2), 352, 70(1), 74
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act — s. 4, 6
Subjects
- bail
- rape
- molestation
- POCSO Act
- IPC
- victim testimony
- trial delay
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.82778 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-56 Year-2025 Thana- RAMPUR HARI District- Muzaffarpur
======================================================
Ranjit Sahani S/O Shiv Shankar Sahani Resident of village-Pakari
Barkhurdar, P.S. Rampurhari , Distt- Muzaffarpur
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar
2. X female 17 years as per FIR But truly 21 years, D/O Y Resident of village-
Pakari Barkhurdar, P.S. Rampurhari , Distt- Muzaffarpur
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Ravi Ranjan, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Dilip Kumar No. 1, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR VERMA
ORAL ORDER
4 25-03-2026 Heard Mr.Ravi Ranjan, learned counsel for the
petitioner, learned counsel for the informant and Mr.Dilip
Kumar No. 1, learned A.P.P. for the State.
2. The petitioner seeks bail, who is in custody since
31.03.2025 in connection with Rampur Hari P.S. Case No. 56
of 2025, F.I.R. dated 30.03.2025 registered for the offence
punishable under Sections 126(2),74,70(1),352,351(2),3/5 of
BNS and Section 4/6 of POCSO Act.
3. Allegation against the petitioner is that he caught
hold the victim and dragged her towards orchard and committed
rape with her for one hour and also molested her for three hours
continuously.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.82778 of 2025(4) dt.25-03-2026
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4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner
submits that the petitioner has clean antecedent. The allegation
as alleged in the FIR is false and fabricated and the petitioner
has not committed any offence as alleged in the FIR. Further
submits that from a bare perusal of the FIR it appears that the
date of occurrence as alleged in the FIR is 15.03.2025,
fardbeyan was recorded on 20.03.2025 but the present FIR has
been instituted on 30.03.2025 after delay of 15 days without
giving any explanation of delay.
5. Learned counsel for the informant and learned APP
for the State, on the other hand, have vehemently opposed the
prayer for bail of the petitioner and submits that the statement of
the victim was recorded under Sections 180/183 of BNSS, 2023
in which she has fully supported the case of the prosecution,
apart from that, the trial has begun and out of seven chargesheet
witnesses, three witnesses have been examined.
6. Considering the nature of allegation as alleged in
the FIR which is supported by the victim and the information
furnished by the informant that the trial has begun, I am not
inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail in connection with
Rampur Hari P.S. Case No. 56 of 2025 pending in the court of
learned Special Judge Exclusive Special Court-III (Dealing with
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.82778 of 2025(4) dt.25-03-2026
3/3
Rape Cases and Cases under POCSO Act), Muzaffarpur.
7. Prayer is refused.
8. However, the learned Trial Court is directed to
expedite the trial and conclude the same at the earliest.
(Rajesh Kumar Verma, J)
Nitesh/-
U T
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