IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. OF 2026 (arising out of SLP(Crl.) No. 14572/2025)

APPELLANT(S)

BAIJU KUMAR @ BAIJU MANJHI @ BAIJU CHAUDHARY VERSUS STATE OF BIHAR RESPONDENT(S)

O R D E R

Leave granted.

The appellant, Baiju Kumar @ Baiju Manjhi @ Baiju Chaudhary, is aggrieved by the denial of anticipatory bail by the High Court Judicature at Patna, vide order dated 13.05.2025 in Criminal Miscellaneous No. 25783/2025, in relation to First Information Report (FIR) No. 133/2023 dated 11.02.2023 registered with Police Station – Gardanibagh, District – Patna, Bihar, for offences punishable under Sections 30(a) and 34 of the Bihar babita pandey Date: 2026.03.13 Reason:

Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016.

By order dated 15.09.2025, this Court granted protection from arrest to the appellant, Baiju Kumar @ Baiju Manjhi @ Baiju Chaudhary, in relation to the aforestated FIR, subject to the condition that he joins and cooperates with the investigation.

A counter affidavit/reply having been filed by the State of Bihar, the learned counsel appearing for the State confirms that, pursuant to the aforestated order dated 15.09.2025, the appellant joined the investigation and is presently cooperating.

In the light of the above statement, we find no grounds made out for custodial interrogation of the appellant at this stage.

The appeal is, accordingly, allowed, setting aside the impugned judgment/order. In the event the appellant, Baiju Kumar @ Baiju Manjhi @ Baiju Chaudhary, is arrested in connection with the FIR in question, he shall be released on bail forthwith on such appropriate terms and conditions as may be fixed by the trial Court.

The appellant, Baiju Kumar @ Baiju Manjhi @ Baiju Chaudhary, shall abide by the conditions stipulated in Section 482(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and shall cooperate during the course of the investigation and, thereafter, the trial, if any.

We clarify that we have not made any observations/comments on the merits of the case and any observation made in this order is meant only for the limited purpose of grant of anticipatory bail. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

......................J.

(SANJAY KUMAR)

......................J.

(K. VINOD CHANDRAN)

NEW DELHI;

MARCH 13, 2026.

ITEM NO.3 COURT NO.12 SECTION II-A S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.)

No(s). 14572/2025 [Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 13-05-2025 in CRM No. 25783/2025 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Patna]

BAIJU KUMAR @ BAIJU MANJHI @ BAIJU CHAUDHARY Petitioner(s)

VERSUS THE STATE OF BIHAR Respondent(s)

Date : 13-03-2026 This petition was called on for hearing today.

CORAM :

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. VINOD CHANDRAN For Petitioner(s) Mr. Ayush Anand, AOR Mr. Monu Kumar, Adv.

Mr. Rakesh Bihari Singh, Adv.

Mr. Anant Sangal, Adv. Mr. Vishal Kumar, Adv.

Mr. Yash Raj Singh, Adv. Ms. Atmika Patnaik, Adv.

Mr. Krishan Kant Kumar, Adv.

For Respondent(s) Mr. Rishi K Awasthi, Adv.

Mr. Piyush Vatsa, Adv.

Mr. Amit V Awasthi, Adv.

Mr. Rahul K Gupta, Adv.

Mr. Punit Vinay, AOR Mr. Ishaan Raj, Adv.

UPON hearing the counsel, the Court made the following

O R D E R

Leave granted.

In terms of the signed order, the appeal is, allowed, setting aside the impugned judgment/order. In the event the appellant, Baiju Kumar @ Baiju Manjhi @ Baiju Chaudhary, is arrested in connection with the FIR in question, he shall be released on bail forthwith on such appropriate terms and conditions as may be fixed by the trial Court.

Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

(BABITA PANDEY) (NIKITA SINGH)

ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS COURT MASTER (NSH)

(Signed order is placed on the file)