CR. MISC./42579/2026 of Rani Devi Vs The State of Bihar on 21 August 2026

ORAL ORDER

21-08-2026 Heard the parties.

2. Petitioner seeks regular bail in connection with Raniganj P.S. Case No. 482 of 2024, registered for the offence(s) punishable under Section(s) 21(b) of the NDPS Act.

3. The main submissions advanced by learned counsel for the petitioner are that this is the second attempt by the petitioner to get the relief of regular bail. The fresh circumstances entitling the petitioner to the relief of bail are her prolonged custody and the fact that there has been no progress in the trial. It is further submitted that the petitioner is a lady aged about 32 years and, as per the allegation, the alleged vehicle stood registered in her name and was being used for transporting cough syrup containing codeine on the alleged date of occurrence. However, it is not the case of the prosecution that Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.42579 of 2026(4) dt.21-08-2026

the petitioner was present in the vehicle at the time of recovery. The petitioner has been made an accused mainly on account of her being the registered owner of the vehicle, apart from this, there is nothing incriminating against her. It is further submitted that two co-accused persons, namely, Md. Intaz @ Dantaz and Md. Abdul, who were apprehended from the alleged vehicle, have been granted regular bail by a Coordinate Bench of this Court vide order dated 22.04.2025 passed in Cr. Misc. No. 348 of 2025. Thus, considering the incriminating circumstances appearing against all the accused persons, the case of the petitioner stands on a better footing than that of the aforesaid two co-accused persons, who are already on bail. The petitioner has suffered considerably having been languishing in jail since 23.09.2025. Her trial has commenced and despite framing of charges against her on 29.04.2026, none of the prosecution witnesses has appeared for recording of evidence till date. Most of the prosecution witnesses are government officials. Therefore, enlargement of the petitioner on bail at this stage is not likely to prejudice the prosecution in any manner.

4. Learned APP appearing for the State has opposed the bail prayer of the petitioner.

5. Heard learned counsel for both the sides and Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.42579 of 2026(4) dt.21-08-2026

perused the relevant materials on record. Though the petitioner's prayer for bail has already been rejected on merits, however, considering her total period of custody, the lack of progress in her trial and the circumstances under which she has been made an accused in the present case, coupled with the fact that her trial has commenced and most of the prosecution witnesses, who are to be examined in her trial are government officials, I am of the view that the petitioner deserves consideration for relief of regular bail, this court is now inclined to release her on bail. Accordingly, let the petitioner named-above be released 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 the concerned Court in connection with Raniganj P.S. Case No. 482 of 2024.

Rajiv/- (Shailendra Singh, J) U T