Pritam Kumar @ Chhota @ Chhotu Vs The State of Bihar — Patna HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Pritam Kumar @ Chhota @ Chhotu Vs The State of Bihar — Patna HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Regular bail granted: petitioner to be released on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bhojpur at Ara, subject to cooperation in trial and availability as required; court below to verify criminal antecedents before accepting the bail bond.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, implicated in Ara Town P.S. Case No. 171 of 2025 (Sections 310(2) and 111(2) BNS) arising out of the armed robbery at the Tanishq showroom, Ara, should be released on regular bail.

Court's answer

The petitioner is directed to be released on regular bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bhojpur at Ara, subject to the condition that he cooperates in the disposal of the trial and makes himself available as and when required by the court.

Ratio / Principle

Before accepting the bail bond, the learned court below shall verify the petitioner's criminal antecedents, and if he is found involved in any other case except the cases mentioned in para-3 of the bail petition, his bail bond shall not be accepted.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Patna High Court (Nawneet Kumar Pandey, J), Criminal Miscellaneous No.62695 of 2025, order dated 22-01-2026: regular bail granted to Pritam Kumar @ Chhota @ Chhotu, an accused in the 10.03.2025 armed robbery at the Tanishq showroom, Gopali Chowk, Ara (Ara Town P.S. Case No. 171 of 2025, Sections 310(2) and 111(2) BNS). Bail on bonds of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bhojpur at Ara, conditioned on cooperation in the trial; the court below must verify his criminal antecedents before accepting the bond, which shall not be accepted if he is found involved in any case other than those disclosed in para-3 of the bail petition. Custody since 21.03.2025; nothing recovered from him; antecedents not of similar nature.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.62695 of 2025

Arising Out of PS. Case No.-171 Year-2025 Thana- ARA NAGAR District- Bhojpur

======================================================

Pritam Kumar @ Chhota @ Chhotu Son of Bipin Choudhary R/o Vill - Sahpur, P.S. - Tisiauta, Dist. - Vaishali.

... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

The State of Bihar Bihar

... ... Opposite Party/s ====================================================== Appearance : For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Akash Kumar Mishra, Adv. For the State : Mr.J.N. Thakur, APP ======================================================

CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NAWNEET KUMAR PANDEY

ORAL ORDER

4 22-01-2026

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner as well as learned APP for the State.

In this case, the petitioner is seeking regular bail in connection with Ara Town P.S. Case No. 171 of 2025, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 310(2), 111(2) of the BNS.

On 10.03.2025, at around 10:21 AM, seven criminals committed a well-planned armed robbery at the Tanishq showroom, Gopali Chowk, Ara. Two criminals entered as customers, followed by others who overpowered the guard, seized his weapon and held staff hostage at gunpoint. Thereafter, jewellery was looted after breaking display counters. The accused persons assaulted one employee with butt of the pistol

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.62695 of 2025(4) dt.22-01-2026 2/3

and threatened other staffs. Further, the criminals escaped with the looted jewellery.

The learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has falsely been implicated. Nothing has been recovered from his possession. Except confessional statement, there is nothing against him.

On the other hand, the learned APP for the State has opposed the prayer for bail and submitted that the petitioner has confessed his guilt.

The petitioner is under custody since 21.03.2025. Nothing has been recovered from his possession. He has criminal antecedents but not of similar nature.

Considering the above-mentioned facts and circumstances, let the petitioner above-named be released on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bhojpur at Ara in connection with Ara Town P.S. Case No. 171 of 2025, subject to the condition that the petitioner shall cooperate in the disposal of trial and make himself available as and when required by the court.

8. Before accepting the bail bond of the petitioner, the learned court below shall verify his criminal antecedent

Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.62695 of 2025(4) dt.22-01-2026 3/3

and if it is found that he is involved in any other case except the cases, as mentioned in para-3 of the bail petition, his bail

bond shall not be accepted.

(Nawneet Kumar Pandey, J)

kundan/- U T