Puja Devi v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.24069 of 2026 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-154 Year-2025 Thana- KARTAHA District- Vaishali ====================================================== 1.

Puja Devi Wife of Lallu Mahto Resident of Village - Pachnaur, P.S.- Belsand, District - Sitamarhi.

2.

Lallu Mahto Son of Kapil Mahto Resident of Village - Pachnaur, P.S.- Belsand, District - Sitamarhi.

... ... Petitioners

Versus

1.

The State of Bihar 2.

Shyam Lal Sah Son of Late Dhora Sah Resident of Village - Ghatori, P.s.- Kartahan, District - Vaishali.

... ... Opposite Parties ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioners :

Mr. Digvijay Kumar Ojha, Advocate For the Opposite Party-State:

Ms. Madhuri Lata, APP ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PRAVEEN KUMAR ORAL ORDER 17-06-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned A.P.P. for the State.

2. The petitioners are seeking bail in connection with Kartahan P.S. Case No. 154 of 2025, dated 09.12.2025, registered for the offence under Sections 137(2) and 140(3) of the BNS.

3. As per the allegation, two girls, who are the victims, were allegedly kidnapped, sold and forced into prostitution. Thereafter, one of the girls was recovered from the house of co-accused Kundan Kumar @ Kundan Singh and the investigation revealed that she was sold to him by co-accused Kanchan Kumari.

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.24069 of 2026(4) dt.17-06-2026 2/3

4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners has submitted that the victims in their statement recorded under Section 183 BNSS have not alleged anything against the petitioners. It has further been submitted that the name of the petitioners transpired on the basis of the statement of co-accused Babita Kumari @ Amrita. It has further been submitted that the victims have categorically named Babita Kumari @ Amrita, who had enticed them away and forced them for prostitution. It has further been submitted that the medical report as regards the age of the victims would go to suggest that both the victims were major on the date of alleged occurrence. It has further been submitted that Kundan Kumar @ Kundan Singh has performed marriage with one of the victims. It has further been submitted that petitioner No.

2 is the husband of petitioner No. 1 and they have been falsely dragged in the present case. It has further been submitted that co-accused Kanchan Kumari and Kundan Kumar @ Kundan Singh have been granted the privilege of bail by order dated 27.05.2026 passed in Cr. Misc. No. 18071 of 2026 and Cr. Misc. No. 18120 of 2026 respectively. It has further been submitted that petitioners have got no criminal antecedents. It has lastly been submitted that the petitioners are in custody since 17.12.2025.

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.24069 of 2026(4) dt.17-06-2026 3/3

5. Learned A.P.P. for the State vehemently opposed the prayer for bail of the petitioners.

6. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.

7. Considering the entire facts and circumstances of the case as well as parity, let the, above named, petitioners be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- (ten thousand) each with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned C.J.M., Hajipur, Vaishali, in connection with Kartahan P.S. Case No. 154 of 2025.

8. The application stands allowed accordingly. (Praveen Kumar, J) Pawan/- U T