Sugmanti Devi v. The State Of Bihar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.34329 of 2026 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-123 Year-2022 Thana- WAJIRGANJ District- Gaya ====================================================== 1.
Sugmanti Devi Wife of Lalan Manjhi Resident of Village- Sakardas Nawada, P.S.- Wazirganj, District- Gaya Ji 2.
Lalan Manjhi Son of Kudha Manjhi Resident of Village- Sakardas Nawada, P.S.- Wazirganj, District- Gaya Ji 3.
Gargar Manjhi Son of Kudha Manjhi Resident of Village- Sakardas Nawada, P.S.- Wazirganj, District- Gaya Ji ... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
The State of Bihar ... ... Opposite Party/s ====================================================== Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s :
Mr. Syed Asgher Najmi, Advocate For the Opposite Party/s :
Mr. Rajendra Nath Jha, APP ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PRAVEEN KUMAR ORAL ORDER 19-05-2026 The matter has been taken up today through video conferencing.
2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned APP for the State.
3. The Petitioners are apprehending their arrest in connection with Wazirganj P.S. Case No. 123 of 2022 registered for the offence punishable under Sections 147, 148, 149, 323, 324, 332, 333, 307, 337, 224, 225, 353 and 504 of the I.P.C. and Sections 30(a), 30(b), 37(2) and 45 of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.
4. As per the prosecution case, on a secret information
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.34329 of 2026(2) dt.19-05-2026 2/3 regarding the sale of illicit liquor, the informant, along with police personnel, conducted a raid at the house of co-accused Joginder Manjhi. Upon search, total 10 litres of illicit country made liquor was recovered from the house in question. Thereafter, the wife of Joginder Manjhi, armed with a "Damkol" (a sharp-cutting weapon), assaulted the informant on the head, while the other accused persons resorted to brick-batting, due to which some members of the police party sustained injuries. It is further alleged that, taking advantage of the commotion caused during the assault, Joginder Manjhi was freed from the custody of the raiding party.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted that petitioners are innocent and have falsely been implicated in this case. It has further been submitted that the petitioners are not the family members of Joginder Manjhi and only general and omnibus allegations have been levelled against them. It has also been submitted that the petitioners have been identified by the local chaukidar, with whom they have share prior enmity. It has further been submitted that none of the injured persons sustained any grievous injuries. Lastly, it has been submitted that the petitioners have got no criminal antecedents.
6. Learned A.P.P. for the State has vehemently
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.34329 of 2026(2) dt.19-05-2026 3/3 opposed the prayer for anticipatory bail of the petitioners.
7. Heard the parties and perused the record.
8. Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, let the above named petitioners, in the event of their arrest/surrender within a period of six weeks from today, be enlarged on anticipatory bail on furnishing bail-bonds of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand) each with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned court concerned, Gaya Ji, in connection with Wazirganj P.S. Case No. 123 of 2022, subject to the conditions as laid down under Section 482(2) of the Bharitya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (B.N.S.S.)
9. This application stands allowed.
(Praveen Kumar, J) Jyoti/- U T