Manoj Yadav v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.40907 of 2026 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-227 Year-2026 Thana- NAUTAN District- West Champaran ====================================================== Manoj Yadav Son of Punadev Yadav @ Punyadev Yadav R/O VillageBarparsauni, P.S.- Nautan, District- West Champaran ... ... Petitioner

Versus

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

For the Petitioner :

Mr.Raki Alam, Advocate For the Opposite Party :

Mr.Akshay Lal Pandit, APP ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA ORAL ORDER 25-06-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the State.

2. The accused/petitioner is named in the FIR and apprehending his arrest in connection with Nautan P.S. Case No.227 of 2026 registered under Section 30(a) of Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.

3. Allegation against the petitioner is to engage in illegal trade/manufacturing of illicit liquor, where there is recovery of 69.12 litres of IMFL/country-made liquor.

4. It is submitted by learned counsel appearing for the petitioner that the name of petitioner arrayed solely on the basis of suspicion. It is submitted that the recovery of

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.40907 of 2026(2) dt.25-06-2026 2/3 illicit liquor was made from thatched house of petitioner which is an open place and accessible by general public and also the petitioner was not present on the spot where alleged liquor was found. It is also submitted that recovery of illicit liquor was not made from conscious possession of this petitioner. It is further argued that the requirement of Section 103(4) of the BNSS has not been complied with, inasmuch as no independent witness was associated with the search and seizure list and the seizure witnesses were police personnel themselves. Explaining criminal antecedent, it is submitted that the petitioner found involved in six more criminal cases, where he is on bail.

5. Learned APP opposed the prayer of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

6. In view of aforesaid factual submissions and by taking note of the fact as recovery of illicit liquor prima facie not appears to be made from physical possession of this petitioner, accordingly, the petitioner, above-named, in the event of his arrest or surrender in the court below within a period of four weeks from today, is directed to be released

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.40907 of 2026(2) dt.25-06-2026 3/3 on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Special Judge Excise- 1, Bettiah, West Champaran in connection with Nautan P.S. Case No.227 of 2026, subject to the conditions as laid down under Section 438(2) of the CrPC/under Section 482(2) of the BNSS. (Chandra Shekhar Jha, J) aniket/- U T