Patna High Court
RANJU DEVI @ MANJU DEVIversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- RAJESH KUMAR VERMA
Holding
The court granted bail to the petitioners subject to specified conditions.
Summary
Ranju Devi and Shobha Devi were arrested on 27 July 2025 in connection with a kidnapping‑for‑marriage case under Section 87 of the BNS, 2023. They contended that they were falsely implicated, had clean antecedents, and that the victim’s statement under Section 183 of the BNSS, 2023 did not mention any sexual assault. The prosecution opposed bail, arguing the seriousness of the offence. The High Court, after hearing counsel, granted bail to both petitioners on a bond of Rs.10,000 each with two sureties, imposing conditions of cooperation, presence in court, and non‑tampering with evidence. The order also directed verification of their criminal antecedents but stipulated that bail should not be delayed for that purpose.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to the accused under Section 87 of the BNS, 2023.
- Whether the allegations against the petitioners are false and they have a clean antecedent.
- Whether the conditions imposed are sufficient to ensure trial cooperation and prevent tampering with evidence.
Legislation cited
- BNS, 2023 — s. 87
- BNSS, 2023 — s. 183
Subjects
- bail
- kidnapping for marriage
- Section 87 BNS 2023
- Section 183 BNSS 2023
- false implication
- criminal antecedent
- women accused
- high court order
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.85375 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-299 Year-2025 Thana- KHAJANCHI HAT District- Purnia
======================================================
1. Ranju Devi @ Manju Devi Wife of Manish Thakur Resident of village -
Khatli Hareli Jagali, Police Station - Sri Nagar, District - Purnea
2. Shobha Devi @ Seema Devi Wife of Pujan Mandal Resident of Mohalla -
Purnea Court Station, Police Station - K. Hat, District - Purnea
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. N.K.Agarwal, Sr. Advocate
Mr. Vikram Singh, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Amitesh Kumar, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR VERMA
ORAL ORDER
3 25-03-2026 Heard Mr. N.K. Agarwal, learned senior counsel for
the petitioners and Mr. Amitesh Kumar, learned Additional
Public Prosecutor for the State.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioners is directed to
make necessary corrections in paragraph no. 1 of the bail
application.
3. Petitioners seeks bail who are in custody since
27.07.2025 in connection with K. Hat P.S. Case No. 299 of
2025, F.I.R. dated 21.07.2025 for the offences punishable under
Section 87 of the BNS, 2023.
4. According to prosecution case, the sister-in-law of
the informant was kidnapped by some persons for marriage
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.85375 of 2025(3) dt.25-03-2026
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purpose.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that
petitioners have clean antecedent and they have falsely been
implicated in the present case. The allegation as alleged in the
F.I.R is false and fabricated and the petitioners have not
committed any offence as alleged in the F.I.R. He further
submits that the statement of the victim was recorded under
Section 183 of the BNSS, 2023 in which she has supported the
case of the prosecution and stated that the petitioners along with
other accused persons have abducted her but she has not stated
anything about the sexual assault. He further submits that the
police after investigation submitted the charge sheet against the
petitioners. He further submits that both the petitioners are
women. The petitioners are in custody since 27.07.2025.
6. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor has
vehemently opposed the prayer for bail of the petitioners.
7. Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances,
let the petitioners, above named, be released on bail on
furnishing bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Ten Thousand) each with
two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the
learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Purnea in connection with K.
Hat P.S. Case No. 299 of 2025, subject to the following
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.85375 of 2025(3) dt.25-03-2026
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conditions:-
i. Petitioners shall co-operate in the trial and shall be
properly represented on each and every date fixed by the court
and shall remain physically present as directed by the court and
on their absence on two consecutive dates without sufficient
reason, their bail bond shall be cancelled by the Court below.
ii. If the petitioners tampers with the evidence or the
witnesses, in that case, the prosecution will be at liberty to
move for cancellation of bail.
iii. And further condition that the court below shall
verify the criminal antecedent of the petitioners and in case at
any stage it is found that the petitioners have concealed their
criminal antecedent, the court below shall take step for
cancellation of bail bond of the petitioners. However, the
acceptance of bail bonds in terms of the above-mentioned order
shall not be delayed for purpose of or in the name of
verification.
(Rajesh Kumar Verma, J)
Vanisha/-
U T
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