Patna High CourtCR. MISC./26931/2026bail granted

Santu Kumar v. The State Of Bihar

2026-04-22Mr. Justice Sandeep Kumar2 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.26931 of 2026 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-365 Year-2025 Thana- RANIYATALAB District- Patna ====================================================== Santu Kumar Son of Rudal Paswan R/O Village- Kab, P.S.- Rani Talab, District- Patna (Bihar) ... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

The State of Bihar 2.

X Son of Y R/O Village- Kab, P.S.- Rani Talab, District- Patna (Bihar) ... ... Opposite Party/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr.Amit Kumar, Advocate For the State :

Mr.Bharat Bhushan, APP ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR ORAL ORDER 22-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned APP for the State.

2. The petitioner seeks bail in connection with Ranitalab P.S. Case No. 365 of 2025 registered for the offence punishable under Sections 137(2), 96 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act.

3. The petitioner is accused of kidnapping the minor victim.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. The petitioner is in custody since 28.09.2025. learned counsel for the petitioner has further relied upon the statement of the victim girl recorded under Section 180 of the BNSS.

5. Learned APP appearing for the State opposes the

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.26931 of 2026(2) dt.22-04-2026 2/2 prayer for regular bail of the petitioner.

6. From the statement of the victim girl, it appears that the petitioner and the victim were in a consensual relationship.

7. Considering the aforesaid and the period of custody, this application is allowed.

8. Let the petitioner, above named, be released on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs. 10,000/- (ten thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned District & Additional Sessions Judge-VII-cum-Exclusive Special Judge POCSO, Patna/ concerned Court in connection with Ranitalab P.S. Case No. 365 of 2025.

9. A copy of the statement of the victim girl recorded under Section 180 of the BNSS produced by the learned counsel for the petitioner is taken on record.

10. It is, however, clarified that the observations made herein are limited to the adjudication of the present bail application and shall not prejudice the case of the petitioner at any subsequent stage of the trial and this Court has not express any opinion on the merits of the case.

(Sandeep Kumar, J) P. Kumar U T