Pankaj Singh v. The State Of Bihar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.63582 of 2025 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-85 Year-2022 Thana- JHAJHA District- Jamui ====================================================== 1.
Pankaj Singh S/O Gurdeep Singh R/o vill - Kumardubi Bazaar, P.s.- Chirkunda, Distt.- Dhanbad 2.
Rajkiran Rakha S/o Bhubhuti Bhushan Rakha @ Bibhuti Bhusan Rakha R/o vill - Dhumarkunda (Dumurkunda) (Chirkunda), P.s. - Chirkunda, Distt.- Dhanbad ... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1.
The State of Bihar 2.
Ravishankar Mahto, The Assistant Manager, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. Paradip Haldiya Barauni Pipeline, Barauni Refinery, Begusarai ... ... Opposite Party/s ====================================================== Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s :
Mr.Vijay Kumar, Advocate For the State :
Ms.Gulnar Begum, APP For the Informant(IOCC) :
Mr. Raj Kumar, Advocate Ms. Chitra Dwivedi, Advocate Mr. Pratik Kumar, Advocate ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR ORAL ORDER 17-09-2025 Heard learned senior counsel for the petitioners, learned counsel for the Indian Oil Corporation and learned A.P.P. for the State.
2. The petitioners seek bail in connection with Jhajha P.S. Case No. 85 of 2022 instituted for offences punishable under Sections 15(2) and 15(4) of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Act, 1962, read with Section 3/4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and Section 3/4 of the Explosive Substances Act.
3. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 12.03.2022
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.63582 of 2025(2) dt.17-09-2025 2/3 at around 01:00 A.M., the informant noticed that the oil pressure had dropped, making him suspect that oil was being stolen from the pipeline. He immediately informed the Station House Officers (S.H.Os) of Jhajha, Simultala, and Gidhaur Police Stations. Acting upon this information, the S.H.O., Jhajha proceeded to Barajor village to verify the complaint. When the S.H.O. arrived at the spot, he found a tanker with registration number NL-01AAD/3328 and a Bolero vehicle without a registration number standing near the pipeline. A plastic pipe was connected to the main pipeline, indicating that oil was being taken without permission. At the scene, two persons were apprehended, who disclosed their name as Rakesh Vishwakarma and Karan Sharma @ Ajay Sharma. The S.H.O.
informed the informant of the situation. The informant reached the place of occurrence at about 8:00 A.M. and found that the two accused persons had been caught red-handed committing theft of crude oil from the Paradip-Haldia-Barauni (Begusarai) pipeline. The police arrested the accused at the spot and seized the vehicles and articles used in the commission of the offence. A seizure list was prepared in accordance with law.
4. Considering the fact that the petitioners are involved in theft from the pine line of IOCL, I am not inclined
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.63582 of 2025(2) dt.17-09-2025 3/3 to grant bail to the petitioners.
5. Accordingly, the application stands dismissed. (Sandeep Kumar, J) P. Kumar U T