Patna High Court

Pankaj KumarversusThe State of Bihar

Decided: 19 March 2026
Disposal: BAIL GRANTED
Bench: SANDEEP KUMAR

Holding

Bail was granted to the petitioner.

Summary

The petitioner, Pankaj Kumar, was arrested in connection with a case registered under Section 96 of the BNS for alleged abduction of a girl. The prosecution alleged that he abducted the victim, while the victim's statement indicated that she had voluntarily eloped with the petitioner. The petitioner had been in custody since June 18, 2025, and filed a bail application. The court examined the victim's statement and concluded that the alleged abduction was not involuntary. Consequently, the court allowed the bail application, directing the petitioner to be released on a bail bond of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties of the same amount, subject to the satisfaction of the ACJM-VI, Bhojpur. The order was pronounced by Justice Sandeep Kumar on March 19, 2026.

Issues considered

Whether bail should be granted to the accused under Section 96 of the BNS in view of the victim's statement that she eloped voluntarily.

Legislation cited

BNS — s. 96

Subjects

bail
abduction
elopement
Section 96
BNS
criminal procedure

Judgment

                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                              CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.87802 of 2025
                        Arising Out of PS. Case No.-23 Year-2025 Thana- SAHAR District- Bhojpur
                 ======================================================
                 Pankaj Kumar Son of Late Dinesh Yadav Resident of Village - Ekwari, P.S.-
                 Sahar, District- Bhojpur at Ara.

                                                                                   ... ... Petitioner/s
                                                       Versus
                 The State of Bihar Bihar

                                                        ... ... Opposite Party/s
                 ======================================================
                 Appearance :
                 For the Petitioner/s     :       Mr.Smita Shreeyash
                 For the Opposite Party/s :       Mr.Uma Shankar Prasad Singh
                 ======================================================
                 CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
                                       ORAL ORDER

4   19-03-2026                     Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and

                   learned APP for the State.

                                   2. The petitioner seeks bail in connection with

                   Sahar P.S. Case No. 23 of 2025 registered for the offence under

                   Section 96 of the BNS.

                                   3. As per the prosecution case, the petitioner is

                   said to have abducted the victim.

                                   4. The petitioner is in custody since 18.06.2025.

                                   5. From the statement of the victim girl, it appears

                   that the victim has eloped with the petitioner on her own.

                                   6. Considering the aforesaid facts, this application

                   is allowed.

                                     7. Let the petitioner, above named, be released on

                   bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Ten Thousand)
          Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.87802 of 2025(4) dt.19-03-2026
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                    with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of

                    the learned ACJM-VI, Bhojpur at Ara/concerned Court below in

                    connection with Sahar P.S. Case No. 23 of 2025.



                                                              (Sandeep Kumar, J)
Vikas/-

U

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