Patna High Court
Chhotu Bhagat @ Chhotu KumarversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL REJECTED
- Bench
- PRAVEEN KUMAR
Holding
The Court refused to grant anticipatory bail, holding that the allegations of kidnapping and forced sexual intercourse with a minor warranted denial of bail.
Summary
The petitioner, Chhotu Bhagat, sought anticipatory bail in a case where he was alleged to have kidnapped and forcibly sexually assaulted the informant's daughter, who was a minor at the time of the incident. The FIR, lodged eleven days after the alleged offence, charged him under Sections 96, 352, 351(2)(3) and 3(5) of the B.N.S, and the victim’s statement under Section 183 of the B.N.S.S indicated forced relocation to Delhi and sexual assault. The petitioner argued that the victim was in love with him, had voluntarily joined his company, and later altered her statement, asserting no prior criminal record. The State opposed the anticipatory bail, emphasizing the seriousness of the offences and the victim’s minority. After considering the facts, the Court found the allegations credible and the offences grave, and consequently dismissed the petition for anticipatory bail.
Issues considered
- Whether anticipatory bail can be granted to the petitioner given the seriousness of the offences and the victim being a minor
- Whether the delay in lodging the FIR and the change in the victim's statement affect the grant of anticipatory bail
Legislation cited
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- kidnapping
- sexual assault
- minor
- FIR delay
- Criminal Procedure Code
- Section 438
- Section 96 B.N.S
- Section 352 B.N.S
- Section 351(2)(3) B.N.S
- Section 3(5) B.N.S
- Section 183 B.N.S.S
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.9635 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-148 Year-2025 Thana- GORADIH District- Bhagalpur
======================================================
Chhotu Bhagat @ Chhotu Kumar S/O Ashok Bhagat R/O Village- Goradih,
P.S- Goradih, Distt.- Bhagalpur.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Vivekanand Vivek, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Dr. Mrityunjaya Kr. Gautam, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PRAVEEN KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
3 22-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
Additional Public Prosecutor for the State.
2. The petitioner is apprehending his arrest in a case in
connection with Goradih P.S. Case No. 148 of 2025 dated
14.06.2025 registered for the offences punishable under Section
96, 352, 351(2)(3) and 3(5) of B.N.S
3. As per the allegation, the daughter of the informant
went to school for getting a certificate and in the meantime, the
FIR named accused persons including this petitioner kidnapped
the informant’s daughter. When the informant went to the house
of this petitioner, co-accused Ashok Bhagat and this petitioner
threatened and abused her.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted
that there is a delay of eleven days in lodging the FIR and the
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.9635 of 2026(3) dt.22-04-2026
2/2
victim was actually in love with this petitioner and has joined
her company wilfully. After her recovery and going into the
hand of the informant and the police she has changed her
statement under Section 183 B.N.S.S. The petitioner has got no
criminal antecedent.
5. Learned A.P.P. for the State has vehemently
opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail of the petitioner.
6. Heard the parties and perused the record, the
impugned order goes to show that the victim was below 18
years on the date of occurrence and as per her statement
recorded under Section 183 B.N.S.S., this petitioner had
forcibly taken her to Delhi and had made physical relation with
her forcibly.
7. Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances
of the case, this Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to
the petitioner and the same is accordingly dismissed.
(Praveen Kumar, J)
shivam/-
U T
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