Naraj Kumar @ Niraj Yadav v. The State of Bihar
Anticipatory bail – SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act – bar under Section 18
Case brief
What is this about?
Patna High Court, Criminal Appeal (SJ) No.1057 of 2026, decided 17-07-2026 by Honourable Mr. Justice Harish Kumar (oral order). Appellant Naraj Kumar @ Niraj Yadav challenged the order dated 15.01.2026 of the Special Court SC/ST (PoA) Act, Sasaram, Rohtas rejecting his anticipatory bail application in SC/ST P.S. Case No. 61 of 2025 (District Rohtas), registered under Sections 190, 191(2), 126(2), 115(2), 303(2), 352, 351(2) of the BNS and Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST (PoA) Act. Allegations included assault with lathi/danda, abuse by caste name, snatching of a golden locket, and resentment over voting. Appellant's counsel contended mala fides, political rivalry/fishing dispute genesis, simple injury, and absence of public view; respondent no.2 urged the Section 18 bar. The Court found the intimidation/assault was not on account of vulnerable-section membership, relied on Hitesh Verma Vs. State of Uttarakhand, (2020) 10 SCC 710, set aside the impugned order and allowed the appeal, granting anticipatory bail subject to Section 482(2) BNSS conditions; bail bond Rs. 10,000/- with two like sureties, one bailor a close family member. Keywords: anticipatory bail, Section 18 SC/ST Act bar, caste abuse, political rivalry, Hitesh Verma.