Ranjit Pandit v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.1452 of 2024 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-662 Year-2023 Thana- Excise P.S. District- Madhubani ====================================================== Ranjit Pandit son of Late Prabhu Pandit Village- Hirapatti W.No-1, Ps- Raj Nagar Dist- Madhubani.

... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

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

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr.Sanjay Jha For the Opposite Party/s :

Mr.Md. Anzarul Haque Sahara ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ALOK KUMAR PANDEY ORAL ORDER 25-01-2024 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned A.P.P. for the State.

2. The petitioner seeks bail in connection with G.O. Case No.3501/2023 arising out of Sadar Excise P.S. Case No. 662/2023 registered for the offences punishable under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.

3. As per prosecution case, there was alleged recovery of 172.305 liters illicit liquor from a (Mahindra XUV300) car in question. The petitioner was alleged to be driver of the said car and apprehended on the spot.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner is innocent and has falsely been implicated in this case village politics. Nothing has been recovered from the conscious possession of the petitioner. The petitioner is

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.1452 of 2024(2) dt.25-01-2024 2/3 languishing in custody since 05.11.2023 and bears no criminal antecedent. He further submits that the petitioner is not the owner of the alleged vehicle in question. He is merely a driver of the said vehicle and has no knowledge regarding the alleged liquor that has been kept in the said vehicle. The petitioner has to follow the instruction of his owner to earn the livelihood. He further submits that the petitioner was not concerned with the seized liquor. He further submits that the seizure list has not been prepared as per the law.

5. The learned A.P.P. for the State vehemently opposed the prayer for bail of the petitioner.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, period of custody, keeping in view clean antecedent of petitioner, argument advanced on behalf of both sides and also taking into consideration the material available on record, let the petitioner above named be released on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Sessions Judge-II cum Special Judge, Excise Act, Madhubani in connection with G.O. Case No.3501/2023 arising out of Sadar Excise P.S. Case No. 662/2023, subject to following conditions:-

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.1452 of 2024(2) dt.25-01-2024 3/3 (i) One of the bailors shall be either father or mother or sister or brother or wife or the person who has sworn the affidavit in bail application.

(ii) Petitioner will co-operate in trial and will remain present on all dates and absence for two consecutive dates without appropriate permission, would be a ground for cancellation of bail by the learned Trial Court itself. (iii) 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.

(Alok Kumar Pandey, J) amitkumar/- U T