Manish Kumar Rai @ Manish Kumar v. The State Of Bihar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.25395 of 2026 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-57 Year-2025 Thana- KOTWA District- East Champaran ====================================================== Manish Kumar Rai @ Manish Kumar son of Vinod Rai @ Binod Kumar Ray Resident of Village- Daulatpur, P.S- Hajipur Sadar, District- Vaishali ... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar ... ... Opposite Party/s ====================================================== Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s :
Mr. Natraj Verma For the Opposite Party/s :
Mr. Abhay Kumar For the IOCL :
Mr. Raj Kumar, Advocate Mr. Sarvottam Kumar, Advocate ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR ORAL ORDER 06-05-2026 Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned APP for the State and the learned counsel appearing for the IOCL.
2. The petitioner seeks regular bail in connection with Bakhtiyarpur P.S. Case No. 57 of 2025, registered for offences punishable under Sections 8, 15, 17(c), 18(c), 20(B)(ii)©, 23 and 25 of the NDPS Act, Sections 303(2), 287, 317(2), 324(5), 111, 61(2), 62(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Sections 15(2), 15(3) and 15(4) of the Petrol and Mineral Pine Line Act, Section 3⁄4 of the Explosive Substance Act, Section 3⁄4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act.
3. As per the FIR, other co-accused persons were
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.25395 of 2026(2) dt.06-05-2026 2/3 apprehended from the spot while they were attempting to commit theft of oil from the pipeline using a tanker. Upon search, the police recovered 1 kg 50 grams of Charas from their possession. It is further alleged that the present petitioner managed to flee from the place of occurrence. The name of the petitioner was disclosed by the apprehended accused persons, who allegedly stated that the petitioner was also involved as their associate in the commission of theft of oil and smuggling of contraband substances.
4. The petitioner is in custody since 12.08.2025 and has three criminal antecedents. The allegations against the petitioner are serious and grave in nature. There exists prima facie material against the petitioner indicating his involvement in the commission of the offence.
5. Having considered the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature and gravity of the allegation, the material available on record, the involvement of the petitioner and the criminal antecedents of the petitioner, this Court is not inclined to grant regular bail to the petitioner.
6. Accordingly, this application for regular bail stands rejected.
7. It is made clear that any observation made herein is
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.25395 of 2026(2) dt.06-05-2026 3/3 prima facie in nature and limited solely for the purpose of adjudication of the present bail application. Such observations shall not be construed as an expression on the merits of the case and shall not influence the trial or any other proceedings in any manner.
(Sandeep Kumar, J) Shishir/- U T