Patna: Expressing concern over what it termed an illegal bail order in an attempted murder case, the Patna high court has directed initiation of “appropriate action” against a judicial officer who allegedly ignored crucial evidence while granting regular bail to an accused.The order relates to Dharmendra Kumar, accused in Digha police station case no. 340 of 2024 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. At the time, the judicial officer was serving as an additional sessions judge in Patna.Allowing a plea filed by Shyam Sundari Devi, Justice Sandeep Kumar cancelled the bail granted to Dharmendra and directed him to surrender before the trial court within two weeks, failing which the police were asked to arrest him in accordance with law.The order was passed on July 29 and became public on Aug 6.Justice Kumar observed that the July 22, 2024 bail order was “perverse” as it overlooked the firearm injury report issued by Patna Medical College and Hospital, which formed a key part of the police investigation.The court also noted that the bail application was allowed “in unusual haste” on a day when it was not even listed for hearing.The judge directed the high court registry to place the matter before the acting chief justice for initiating appropriate action against the judicial officer concerned.
