Patna High Court
Ranjit MandalversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- PRABHAT KUMAR SINGH
Holding
Regular bail was granted to the petitioner as the evidence against him was limited to a co-accused’s confessional statement and his continued custody was deemed unwarranted.
Summary
The petitioner, Ranjit Mandal, applied for regular bail in a case registered under Sections 103(1), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 27 of the Arms Act, arising from a land dispute that allegedly led to the murder of a woman’s husband. The prosecution’s case is based solely on a confessional statement of a co-accused, as the petitioner’s name does not appear in the FIR. The petitioner has been in custody since 19 July 2025, while co-accused have already been granted anticipatory bail. The State opposed the bail, but the court noted the lack of substantive evidence beyond the confessional statement and the prolonged custody. Consequently, the court allowed the regular bail application, directing the petitioner to be released on a bail bond of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail should be granted to the petitioner when the only evidence is a confessional statement of a co-accused.
- Whether the nature of the offences and the period of custody justify denial of bail.
Legislation cited
- Arms Act — s. 27
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita — s. 103(1), 3(5)
Subjects
- regular bail
- anticipatory bail
- confessional statement
- land dispute
- murder
- Arms Act
- custody
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.90117 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-161 Year-2025 Thana- BIHPUR District- Bhagalpur
======================================================
Ranjit Mandal S/o- Manijar Mandal Resident of village- Nuruddin Dhudhala
PS- Bihpur District- Bhagalpur
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Sunil Kumar Singh, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Rajendra Nath Jha, A.P.P.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PRABHAT KUMAR SINGH
ORAL ORDER
2 12-02-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
A.P.P. for the State.
2. Petitioner seeks regular bail in connection with
Bihpur P. S. Case No. 161 of 2025 in a case registered for the
offences punishable under Sections 103(1), 3(5) of the Bharatiya
Nyaya Sanhita and Section 27 of the Arms Act.
3. As per prosecution case, informant suspects that
due to land dispute between the parties, al the F.I.R. named
accused persons killed her husband.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that
petitioner is not named in the F.I.R. and his name transpired
during course of investigation in confessional statement of co-
accused. Save and except confessional statement there is no
other material to show complicity of petitioner in the alleged
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.90117 of 2025(2) dt.12-02-2026
2/2
offence. F.I.R. named accused persons have already been
granted anticipatory bail by this court vide order dated
01.12.2025 passed in Cr. Misc. No. 69860 of 2025. Petitioner is
in custody since 19.07.2025.
5. However, learned A.P.P. for the State vehemently
opposed the bail application.
6. Considering the nature of accusation and period of
custody, this bail application is allowed. The petitioner, above
named, is directed to be released on 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 Judicial
Magistrate, 1st Class, Naugachhia, Bhagalpur in connection with
Bihpur P. S. Case No. 161 of 2025.
(Prabhat Kumar Singh, J)
Navya/-
U T
Checking your session…
Lawyer court records for this case
Associated through the court’s case reference.