Patna High Court

Rambahal ManjhiversusThe State of Bihar

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

Holding

Bail was granted to the petitioner.

Summary

The petitioner, Rambahal Manjhi, applied for bail in a case registered under Sections 137, 96, 352 and 3(5) of the Bihar Penal Code, alleging abduction of a girl. The prosecution alleged that the petitioner had abducted the victim, while the victim’s statement indicated that she had voluntarily eloped with the petitioner. The petitioner had been in custody since 22 February 2025. The court examined the victim’s statement and found no element of force or coercion. Consequently, the bail application was allowed, subject to a bail bond of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties of the same amount, to be satisfied before the Special Judge of the POCSO Act‑cum‑ADJ‑VI, Gaya. The petitioner was ordered to be released on bail.

Issues considered

Whether bail should be granted to the accused in an abduction case where the victim claims to have eloped voluntarily.

Legislation cited

POCSO Act

Subjects

bail
abduction
voluntary elopement
criminal procedure
POCSO Act
section 137
section 96
section 352
section 3(5)

Judgment

                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                              CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.88299 of 2025
                         Arising Out of PS. Case No.-18 Year-2025 Thana- CHERKI District- Gaya
                 ======================================================
                 Rambahal Manjhi S/o Vinod Manjhi R/o Village- Jamri, P.S- Cherki, Dist-
                 Gaya.

                                                                                   ... ... Petitioner/s
                                                       Versus
           1.    The State of Bihar Bihar
           2.    XXX S/o YYY R/o Village- Jamari, P.S- Cherki, Dist- Gaya.

                                                        ... ... Opposite Party/s
                 ======================================================
                 Appearance :
                 For the Petitioner/s     :        Mr.Vinod Kumar
                 For the Opposite Party/s :        Mr.Md. Matloob Rab
                 ======================================================
                 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

                   Cherki P.S. Case No. 18 of 2025 registered for the offence under

                   Section 137, 96, 352, 3(5) 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 22.02.2025.

                                   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
          Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.88299 of 2025(4) dt.19-03-2026
                                                      2/2




                    bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- (Ten Thousand)

                    with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of

                    the     learned       Special       Judge-POCSO        Act-cum-ADJ-VI,

                    Gaya/concerned Court below in connection with Cherki P.S.

                    Case No. 18 of 2025.



                                                                    (Sandeep Kumar, J)
Vikas/-

U

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