Patna High Court
Ranjeet Manjhi @ Ranjeet KumarversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- R P MISHRA
Holding
The Court held that bail should be granted to the petitioner subject to conditions.
Summary
The petitioner, Ranjeet Manjhi, was arrested in connection with a case under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act after 87.5 litres of liquor were recovered from his joint family house. He claimed innocence, arguing that no liquor was found in his personal possession and that the recovery was from a house shared with other family members. The State opposed bail, citing the petitioner’s three prior criminal antecedents and the fact that Section 103 of the Bihar Narcotic Substances (Suppression) Act, 2023 had not been complied with. The Court considered the facts, the period of custody since 26‑11‑2025, and the lack of direct incriminating material against the petitioner. It decided to grant bail, ordering the petitioner to furnish a bail bond of Rs.15,000 with two sureties, one of whom must be a close family member, and to appear at every trial date, with bail cancellable on two consecutive defaults. The order was pronounced by Justice Rudra Prakash Mishra.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to the accused under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act considering the recovery of liquor from a joint family house, the accused’s prior criminal antecedents, and non‑compliance with Section 103 of the BNSS, 2023.
Subjects
- bail
- Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act
- liquor seizure
- criminal antecedent
- Section 30(a)
- BNSS 2023
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.91019 of 2025
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-515 Year-2024 Thana- DHANARUA District- Patna
======================================================
Ranjeet Manjhi @ Ranjeet Kumar S/O Late Arjun Manjhi Resident of Village
- Pabhera, P.S- Dhanarua, District - Patna
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Abhoy Kumar Kashyap, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Parmanand Prasad, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RUDRA PRAKASH
MISHRA
ORAL ORDER
2 12-01-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned APP
for the State.
2. The petitioner seeks bail in connection with
Dhanarua PS Case No. 515 of 2024 instituted for the offences
under Section/s 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.
3. The prosecution case, in short, is that 87.500 liters
liquor was recovered from the house of the petitioner.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the
present case. No incriminating material has been recovered from
the conscious possession of the petitioner. The petitioner has got
no concern with the alleged recovery of liquor. It is submitted
that recovery is made from the joint house of the petitioner,
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.91019 of 2025(2) dt.12-01-2026
2/2
where other family members also reside. The petitioner is in
custody since 26.11.2025 and has got three criminal
antecedent/s. There is no compliance of Section 103 of the
BNSS, 2023.
5. Learned A.P.P. for the State has vehemently
opposed the prayer for grant of bail to the petitioner.
6. Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances
of the case and the period of custody undergone by the
petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.
7. Let the petitioner be released on bail on furnishing
bail bonds of Rs.15,000/- (Fifteen thousand) with two sureties
of the like amount each to the satisfaction of Court
below/concerned Court in connection with Dhanarua PS Case
No. 515 of 2024, subject to the following conditions:
(I) One of the bailors shall be own/close member of the
family of the petitioner.
(II) The petitioner shall appear on each and every date
fixed at the trial. In case of default in such appearance on two
consecutive dates, the Trial Court will have liberty to cancel the
bail bonds of the petitioner.
(Rudra Prakash Mishra, J)
Raj Kishore/-
U T
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