Jaldhar Das v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.7379 of 2026 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-151 Year-2004 Thana- SONO District- Jamui ====================================================== Jaldhar Das S/O Maharaj Das R/O Village- Dhanave, Police StationChandramandi, District- Jamui ... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

The State of Bihar ... ... Opposite Party/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr. Pankaj Kumar Sinha, Advocate For the Opposite Party/s :

Mr. Nagendra Prasad, APP ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJIV ROY ORAL ORDER 17-06-2026 Heard Mr. Pankaj Kumar Sinha, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Nagendra Prasad representing the State.

2. The petitioner is apprehending his arrest in connection with Sono P.S. Case No. 151 of 2004 for the offence under sections 364 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code lodged on 21.12.2004 by the informant, Pudina Devi.

3. As per the prosecution story, the informant alleged on 14.08.2003 that her son-in-law Sitaram Das gave information that her daughter, Sakunwa Devi has disappeared with someone. When they went to the house of her son-in-law, was informed by the locals that she has disappeared with one Nanhka Das. She further inquired form the local villagers but could not know anything about her, thereafter, the present case.

4. Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that he

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.7379 of 2026(5) dt.17-06-2026 2/3 is a villager having no knowledge of the present case and only got implicated being close to the informant's/complainant's sonin-law, Sitaram Das. Further, he do not have criminal antecedents.

5. Learned State counsel has taken this Court to paragraph no. 126 of the case diary to show that in the year 2008, the police, during the investigation, recorded the name of the petitioner as one of the accused and steps were also taken too for the issuance of the process. Despite being named as an accused, 23 years after lodging of the FIR and 18 years after the steps were taken for issuance of processes, he has approached this Court. The submission is that the lady is still traceless as per the police report dated 26.05.2026.

6. This Court has taken note of the letter no. 729 dated 26.05.2026 issued by the S.P., Jamui, according to which, the Police has failed to get any clue about the lady.

7. The year 2014 report shows that showing these accused persons as absconder, charge sheet has been submitted on 31.12.2014.

8. Considering the aforesaid facts that have come up as also that this petitioner is named accused and charge-sheet stands submitted on 31.12.2014, no relief can be extended.

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.7379 of 2026(5) dt.17-06-2026 3/3

9. The anticipatory bail application stands rejected.

10. Having recorded the aforesaid fact, this Court has reason to show its anguish on the fact that the Police, in a routine manner, recorded that the lady could not be traced out. The records show that no technical expertise/assistance were taken nor the whereabouts of Nanhka Das/other accused persons were investigated. Clearly, the life of a lady is not considered precious by the Police.

11. In that background, this Court directs the S.P., Jamui to give a re-look to the entire matter, constitute a team under the Dy.S.P. and at least at this stage, take steps to ensure that the fate of the lady comes to light.

12. Let the copy of the order be sent to the office of Superintendent of Police, Jamui for his perusal and needful. (Rajiv Roy, J) Adnan/Sanny U T