Sonu Kumar Singh v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.68025 of 2023 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-240 Year-2023 Thana- BALIYA DistrictBegusarai ====================================================== SONU KUMAR SINGH Son of Sudarshan Singh r/o vill - Odapatti, P.S. - Musarigharari, Distt. - Samastipur ... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

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

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr.Bipin Kumar For the Opposite Party/s :

Mr.Gulnar Begum ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH KUMAR VERMA ORAL ORDER 19-10-2023 Heard Mr. Bipin Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mrs. Gulnar Begum, learned A.P.P. for the State. The petitioner apprehends his arrest in connection with Ballia P.S. Case No. 240 of 2023 dated 26.08.2023 registered for the offence under Sections290, 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 30(a), 32, 41(i)(ii) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act. Recovery is of 2432.520 liters of foreign liquor. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner, who is of clean antecedent, is innocent and has falsely been implicated in this case merely on the ground the petitioner being the owner of the alleged vehicle form which recovery has been made.

He further submits that on bare perusal of the F.I.R. and the seizure list, it appears that nothing has been recovered from the house or conscious possession of the petitioner rather the alleged recovery has been made from the vehicle in question.

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.68025 of 2023(2) dt.19-10-2023 2/3 petitioner has no concern at all with the alleged recovery. The driver of the vehicle in question has been arrested by the police along with the illicit liquor. Save and except the fact that the petitioner is the owner of the alleged vehicle, no cogent material has surfaced during course of investigation suggesting the involvement of the petitioner in the alleged occurrence. He further submits that there is noncompliance of Section 100 Cr.P.C. while preparing the seizure list, therefore, no case would be made out against the petitioner under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.

Learned A.P.P. for the State has vehemently opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner referring to the provisions contained in Section 76(2) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act and submits that this application seeking pre-arrest bail would not be maintainable.

This Court is aware of the decision of the Full Bench in the case of Ram Vinay Yadav Vs. State of Bihar reported in 2019(2) P.L.J.R. 1089. Having regard to the law laid down in the aforesaid judgment and the submission advanced on behalf of the parties, this Court, for the limited purpose of grant of anticipatory bail, is inclined to accept the submission of counsel for the petitioner. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the fact that nothing incriminating has been recovered from the possession of the petitioner and he being the owner of the vehicle in question has been made accused in this case, let the, above named, petitioner, in the event of his arrest or surrender before the court below within a period of four weeks, be released on bail on furnishing

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.68025 of 2023(2) dt.19-10-2023 3/3 bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- (ten thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Exclusive Special Judge-II, (Excise Act), Begusarai in connection with Ballia P.S. Case No. 240 of 2023, subject to the conditions laid down under Section 438(2) of the Cr.P.C. as also with the following conditions:-

(1) Petitioner shall co-operate in the trial and shall be properly represented on each and every date fixed by the Court and shall remain physically present as directed by the Court and on his/her absence on two consecutive dates without sufficient reason, his/her bail bond shall be canceled by the Court below.

(2) If the petitioner tampers with the evidence or the witnesses, in that case, the prosecution will be at liberty to move for cancellation of bail.

And, further condition that the court below shall verify the criminal antecedent of the petitioner and in case at any stage, it is found that the petitioner has concealed his criminal antecedent, the court below shall take step for cancellation of bail bond of the petitioner. However, the acceptance of bail bonds in terms of the above-mentioned order shall not be delayed for purpose of or in the name of verification.

(Rajesh Kumar Verma, J) brajesh/- U T