CR. MISC./56274/2026 of Sanjeev Kumar Vs The State of Bihar on 17 August 2026

ORAL ORDER

17-08-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the State.

2. Petitioner apprehends arrest in a case registered for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 119(1), 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

3. It is alleged that this petitioner, who was posted as Circle Officer, Forbesganj edited the online mutation case no. 3779/2018 to 6131/2018-19, filed by co-accused Ravindra Kumar Mehta and created Jamabandi in the name of Ravindra Kumar Mehta, who along with other co-accused was trying to grab the land of informant.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner was posted as Circle Officer, Forbesganj from 24.2.2019 to 16.7.2023 and from 3.8.2023 to 22.2.2024. During that period, Ravindra Kumar Mehta filed an online mutation registered as 4623/2020-21 and mutation case no. 48149/2021-

22. Both were rejected based on reports from the then in-charge Revenue Officer on 5.12.2020 and 26.2.2023, respectively. It is further submitted that Ravindra Kumar Mehta also filed an offline request to edit his name in Jamabandi No. 1161 through computerized Jamabandi No. 188111300089521 for Khata No. 114, Khesara No. 539, Mauja Bhatiyahi, Thana No. 166. During inquiry, Revenue Karmchari Ravindra Kumar Mehta submitted a certified copy of Mutation Record Case No. 6131/2018-19 issued by then Head Clerk Santosh Anand dated 15.4.2023. Ravindra Kumra Mehta applied through R.T.P.S. application dated 11.8.2018 and on that basis, Mutation Case No. 6131 of 2018-19 was done on 30.8.2018 by the then Circle Officer, Forbesganj, Shri Abhay Kant Mishra. A correction slip was issued to Revenue Karmchari Shri Shobha Narayan Chobey. The offline Jamabandi bearing No. 1161 was entered in the name of co-accused Ravindra Kumar Mehta before the petitioner joined as Circle Officer on 24.2.2019. Based on an offline request for Parimarjan in the online Jamabandi made by co-accused Ravindra Kumar Mehta, and on the basis of Jamabandi Records from 2018-19, the petitioner edited the name of co-accused Ravindra Kumar Mehta on 20.8.2023. The online correction was done by the petitioner based on a Certified Copy of Mutation Record Case No. 6131/2018-19 and a correction slip issued to the then Revenue Karmchari. The correction was made on 20.8.2023 in accordance with state Government guidelines and in the petitioner’s capacity as a Public Officer. The land owner has not filed any objection before the Circle Officer, Forbesganj till date, nor any statutory appeal against that correction by the competent authority. The correction was made on 20.8.2023, but the F.I.R. was lodged much later on 19.9.2025 by a stranger with no authority, almost 2 years after the correction. Lastly, he submits that petitioner is currently posted as Assistant Settlement Officer, Lakhisarai, and there is no chance of tampering with the evidence or absconding. Petitioner claims clean antecedent.

5. Learned A.P.P. for the State vehemently opposed the bail application.

6. Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case and clean antecedent, this anticipatory bail is allowed and it is ordered that let the above named petitioner in the event of his arrest/surrender before the court below within a period of eight weeks from today, be enlarged on bail on furnishing bail-bond of Rs. 10,000/- (ten thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Araria in connection with Bathnaha P. S. Case No. 89 of 2025, subject to condition as laid down under Section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Navya/- (Prabhat Kumar Singh, J) U T