Patna High Court
Ravi Ranjan KumarversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The Court ordered the release of the petitioner on bail, subject to a bond of Rs.10,000 and two sureties.
Summary
The petitioner, Ravi Ranjan Kumar, was arrested for alleged kidnapping of the minor daughter of an informant, with charges under Section 96 of the BNS and Sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act. The victim’s statement under Section 183 of the BNSS indicated she fled to avoid a forced marriage and voluntarily went with the petitioner, denying any sexual assault. The petitioner, who has no prior criminal record and has been in custody since 18‑08‑2025, sought regular bail. The informant opposed bail on the ground that the victim is a minor. After hearing both sides, the Court found no evidence of sexual assault and considered the circumstances sufficient to grant bail, directing the petitioner to be released on a bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted in a case involving alleged kidnapping of a minor and offences under the POCSO Act.
- Whether the victim’s voluntary statement negates the charge of sexual assault under the POCSO Act.
- Whether the nature of the alleged offences warrants denial of regular bail.
Legislation cited
Subjects
- bail
- kidnapping
- minor
- POCSO Act
- Section 96 BNS
- regular bail
- forced marriage
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.85219 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-549 Year-2025 Thana- MAJHAULIA District- West Champaran
======================================================
Ravi Ranjan Kumar S/O Heeralal Paswan @ Hiralal Hajra Resident of Vill-
Nanosati Chowk, Ward No-06, Panchayat- Ramnagar Bankat, P.S.-
Majhauliya, Dist- West Champaran ... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar
2. Mr. X S/O Late Jagharan Hajra Resident of Village - Nanosati Chowk, Ward
No.06, Panchayat- Ramnagar Bankat, P.S. - Majhauliya, District-West
Champaran.
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, Advocate
Mr. Raushan Raj, Advocate
Mr. Sitesh Kashyap, Advocate
For the State : Mr. Ram Bilash Roy Raman, APP
For the Informant : Mr. Sarvesh Kashyap, Advocate
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
4 19-02-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned APP
for the State and learned counsel for the Informant.
2. The petitioner has prayed for regular bail in a case
registered for the offence punishable under Section 96 of the BNS
and under Sections 4 & 6 of the POCSO Act.
3. The case of the prosecution, in short, is that the
petitioner has kidnapped the minor daughter of the informant.
During course of investigation the victim has given her statement
under Section 183 of the BNSS wherein she has stated that her
marriage was being fixed with an old person by her parents and
she was not ready for that marriage. She was liking the petitioner.
She called him and fled away with him. She has further stated that
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.85219 of 2025(4) dt.19-02-2026
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she has solemnized marriage with the petitioner.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that from
perusal of the FIR and the statement of the victim it is clear that
there is no allegation of sexual assault against this petitioner and
from statement of the victim it is clear that she has herself gone
with the petitioner. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further
submitted that petitioner has not compelled or enticed the victim to
go with him. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that
the petitioner is having no criminal antecedent and is in judicial
custody since 18.08.2025.
5. Learned counsel for the Informant has vehemently
opposed the bail and has submitted that the victim is minor.
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
Majhauliya P.S. Case No. 549 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 Additional Sessions Judge-VI-
Special Judge, POCSO, Bettiah, West Champaran.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
durgesh/-
U T
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