Akash Kumar Vs The State of Bihar — Dowry and Cruelty | Patna HC (2026)

Akash Kumar Vs The State of Bihar — Dowry and Cruelty | Patna HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Anticipatory bail granted: petitioner to be released on bail on arrest or surrender within four weeks, on furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Lakhisarai in connection with Lakhisarai Complaint Case No.76 of 2023, subject to conditions under Section 438(2) CrPC / Section 482(2) BNSS, 2023.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, named in the complaint petition and apprehending arrest in Lakhisarai Complaint Case No.76 of 2023 (cognizance taken under Sections 498A and 313 IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act), should be released on anticipatory bail. +1 more

Court's answer

Since the allegations of physical assault and dowry demand qua the petitioner appear very much general and omnibus in nature, the petitioner is directed to be released on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest or surrender within four weeks, on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Lakhisarai in Lakhisarai Complaint Case No.76 of 2023, subject to conditions under Section 438(2) CrPC / Section 482(2) BNSS, 2023.

Ratio / Principle

The court granted bail on the ground that the allegations of physical assault and raising of dowry demand qua the petitioner appear very much general and omnibus in nature.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Anticipatory bail (Criminal Miscellaneous No.32426 of 2025) granted by Patna High Court (Chandra Shekhar Jha, J., 21-01-2026) to a petitioner named in Lakhisarai Complaint Case No.76 of 2023, wherein cognizance was taken for offences under Sections 498A and 313 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. Treating the allegations of physical assault and demand of Rs.2 lakhs dowry as general and omnibus, and noting the contradiction between the complaint (marriage at Jallappa Asthan, Lakhisarai) and the Gram Panchayat Raj, Jankidih certificate (Annexure P/4, marriage at Jankidih) which the prosecution conceded, the Court directed release on bail upon arrest or surrender within four weeks on a bail bond of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Lakhisarai, subject to conditions under Section 438(2) CrPC / Section 482(2) BNSS, 2023.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.32426 of 2025

Arising Out of PS. Case No.-76 Year-2023 Thana- COMPLAINT CASE District- Lakhisarai

====================================================== Akash Kumar, S/o Doman Sao, R/o Village- Harla, P.O. and P.S.- Laxmipur, District- Jamui

... ... Petitioner Versus

The State of Bihar 2. Sita Devi, resident of village-Jankidih Beldariya, P.S- Chanan, DistrictLakhisara ... ... Opposite Parties ====================================================== Appearance : For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Shailesh Anand, Advocate Mr. Sukesh Ranjan, Advocate For the Opposite Party/s : Mrs. Pronoti Singh, APP For the O.P. No.2 : Mr. Munish Kumar, Advocate Ms. Minakshi Kumari, Advocate ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA ORAL ORDER

6 21-01-2026

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned

Additional Public Prosecutor for the State duly assisted by learned counsel appearing for complainant/O.P. No.2.

The accused/petitioner is named in the complaint petition and apprehending his arrest in connection with Lakhisarai Complaint Case No.76 of 2023 in which cognizance has been taken for the offences punishable under Sections 498A and 313 of the Indian Penal Code as well as Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

Allegation against petitioner is to commit cruelty upon complainant/O.P. No.2 due to non-fulfilment of demand of

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.32426 of 2025(6) dt.21-01-2026 2/3

dowry as raised for cash of Rs.2 lakhs. The allegation of physical assault is also available against petitioner.

It is submitted by learned counsel appearing for petitioner that the petitioner never solemnized marriage with complainant/O.P. No.2. In support of his submission, it is pointed out that through complaint petition it was stated by complainant/O.P. No.2 that her marriage with this petitioner was solemnized at Jallappa Asthan, Lakhisarai, whereas as per Annexure P/4, which is a certificate issued by Gram Panchayat Raj, Jankidih that the marriage of petitioner with complainant solemnized at Jankidih. It is submitted that as complainant was a tenant with sister of petitioner, in that capacity petitioner was acquainted with her and out of said acquaintance, the present implication was raised.

Arguing further, it is submitted that even from

perusal of complaint petition, it can be gathered safely that allegation qua physical assault and raising demand of dowry appears very much general and omnibus in nature.

Learned APP duly assisted by learned counsel appearing for informant while opposing the prayer of bail submitted that place of marriage can not be decided in present

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.32426 of 2025(6) dt.21-01-2026 3/3

proceeding. However, he conceded the contradiction as pointed out by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, as mentioned aforesaid.

Let it be so, as allegation qua physical assault and raising demand of dowry qua petitioner appearing very much general and omnibus in nature, accordingly, the petitioner, above-named, in the event of his arrest or surrender in the court below within a period of four weeks from today, is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Lakhisarai in connection with Lakhisarai Complaint Case No.76 of 2023, subject to the conditions as laid down under Section 438(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (in short ‘CrPC’)/under Section 482(2) of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (in short ‘BNSS’).

(Chandra Shekhar Jha, J.)

Sanjeet/-

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