Ravi Ranjan Mahto @ Ravi Ranjan Kumar v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.64797 of 2024 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-112 Year-2023 Thana- LAUKARIA District- West Champaran ====================================================== Ravi Ranjan Mahto @ Ravi Ranjan Kumar, Male, aged about 20 years, Son of Khushraj Mahato, R/O Village- Dhokani Done, Police Station -Gobrahiya, District -West Champaran.

... ... Petitioner

Versus

1.

The State of Bihar 2.

Shankar Prasad, Son of Late Ram Prasad Sah, S/O- Late Ram Prasad Sah, R/O village and P.O.- Harnatar, P.S.- Laukariya, Dist- West Champaran ... ... Opposite Parties ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner :

Mr. Vijay Kr Singh No. 1, Advocate For the O.P. No. 2 : Mr. Prithvi Nath Mishra, Advocate For the State :

Mr. Brajendra Nath Pandey, A.P.P.

====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDRA PRAKASH SINGH ORAL ORDER 18-02-2025 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned counsel for the opposite party no. 2 and learned A.P.P. for the State.

2. The petitioner seeks bail in connection with Laukariya P.S. Case No. 112 of 2023 dated 19.12.2023 registered for the offences punishable under Sections 366A, 363 read with Section 34 of the I.P.C. Later on, Sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act were also added.

3. As per the prosecution case, on 13.12.2023 at about 5.00 P.M., the petitioner is alleged to have kidnapped the niece (Bhagani) of the informant. When the informant alongwith the

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.64797 of 2024(5) dt.18-02-2025 2/3 father of the victim went to the house of the petitioner for query, the co-accused Khushraj Mahto, Ram Chandra Mahto, Kalawati Devi and Ranjeeta assaulted and abused them.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has falsely been implicated in this case. It is submitted that the alleged occurrence took place on 13.12.2023 as to when the F.I.R. has been lodged on 19.12.2023 after a lapse of six days and the delay in lodging of the F.I.R. has not been explained by the prosecution. It is submitted that the petitioner and the victim are the co-villagers and there is love affair between them. The victim has been recovered and her statement under Sections 161 and 164 of the Cr.P.C. has been recorded in which she has not alleged sexual assault against the petitioner. It is further submitted that as per the medical examination report, there is no recent sign of sexual assault. The petitioner has clean antecedent as stated in paragraph no. 3 of the bail petition. He is in custody in this case since 21.12.2023.

5. Learned A.P.P. for the State has vehemently opposed the bail petition of the petitioner.

6. Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case as well as the period of custody, the petitioner, above

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.64797 of 2024(5) dt.18-02-2025 3/3 named, is directed to be enlarged on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Additional District and Sessions Judge-7th-cum-Special Judge (POCSO), West Champaran, Bettiah in connection with Laukariya P.S. Case No. 112 of 2023.

7. The application stands allowed.

(Chandra Prakash Singh, J) U.K./- U T