Patna High Court
RANJEET KUMAR VERMAversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA
Holding
The High Court granted bail to the petitioner, holding that the allegations were vague and the procedural notice was validly served.
Summary
The petitioner, Ranjeet Kumar Verma, was named in a criminal complaint (No. 752 of 2019) alleging mental and physical cruelty and dowry demand under IPC Sections 406 and 498A and Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The petitioner sought bail, arguing that the allegations were vague, omnibus, and that the complainant had left the matrimonial home voluntarily and had previously filed a restitution petition. The learned counsel highlighted that a notice had been validly served on the complainant’s father, but no response was filed. The Assistant Public Prosecutor opposed bail. The Court observed that the allegations were indeed general and that the procedural notice had been complied with, and consequently directed that the petitioner be released on bail upon furnishing a bond and sureties, subject to the conditions of Section 482(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to bail in a case involving alleged mental and physical cruelty and dowry demand under IPC Sections 406, 498A and the Dowry Prohibition Act.
- Whether the service of notice on the complainant’s father satisfies the procedural requirements for proceeding.
Legislation cited
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — s. 482
- Dowry Prohibition Act — s. 3
- Indian Penal Code — s. 406, 498A
Subjects
- bail
- mental cruelty
- physical cruelty
- dowry demand
- IPC 498A
- IPC 406
- Dowry Prohibition Act
- Section 482 CrPC
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.83151 of 2023
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-752 Year-2019 Thana- MUZFFARPUR COMPLAINT CASE
District- Muzaffarpur
======================================================
RANJEET KUMAR VERMA Son of Late Navin Chandra Verma @ Late
Mohan Babu @ Late Mohan Prasad Verma R/o vill - Raipur, P.s. - Nanpur,
Distt. - Sitamarhi
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar
2. Rama Shrivastava D/o Dilip Shrivastava R/o Mohalla - Sikandarpur, Near
Ma Kali Temple, P.s. - Town, Distt. - Muzaffarpur
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Mukesh Kumar
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Ahmad Ali
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA
ORAL ORDER
4 27-01-2026 Heard the parties.
2. The petitioner is named in the complaint case and
apprehending his arrest in connection with Complaint Case
No. 752 of 2019 registered for the offences punishable under
Sections 406, 498A of IPC and ¾ of D.P. Act.
3. The allegation against petitioner is to commit
mental and physical cruelty upon complainant due to non-
fulfillment of demand of dowry as raised for one motorcycle
and one bed.
4. It is submitted by learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the petitioner that allegation qua committing mental
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.83151 of 2023(4) dt.27-01-2026
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and physical cruelty and also of demand of dowry appears
very much general and omnibus against this petitioner. It is
pointed out that the complainant left her matrimonial home
on her own out of family quarrel. It is submitted as petitioner
filed restitution petition on 12.06.2018, subsequent thereto
present criminal complaint case was lodged just to harass the
petitioner and his family members.
5. Learned APP opposes the prayer of bail.
6. Jointness petition qua service of notice filed
within time as it appears from petition itself, accordingly, the
notice as received by father of the complainant validly served
upon her.
7. Despite of service of notice as aforesaid, none
turned upon on behalf of the informant in present proceeding.
8. In view of aforesaid factual submission and by
taking note of fact as allegation qua committing mental and
physical cruelty appearing very much general and omnibus
against petitioner, accordingly petitioner above-named, in the
event of his arrest or surrender before the court below within
a period of four weeks, is directed to be released on bail,
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.83151 of 2023(4) dt.27-01-2026
3/3
furnishing bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand)
with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of
the learned CJM, Muzaffarpur/concerned Court, where the
case is pending in connection with Complaint Case No. 752 of
2019, subject to the conditions as laid down under Section
482(2) of BNSS.
(Chandra Shekhar Jha, J)
Sudha/-
U T
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