Patna, Advocate Suman Kumari, Legal Correspondent, 2nd July 2026: In a sensational case involving allegations of abduction from outside the main gate of Bhagalpur Central Jail and a purported conspiracy to stage a fake encounter, the Patna High Court has taken a stern view and passed significant directions.
The Single Bench of the High Court has ordered notices to be issued to the Superintendent of Bhagalpur Central Jail, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Chowk Police Station, Patna City, and the concerned Investigating Officer, directing their personal appearance before the Court.
The Court has also directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Bihar, the Inspector General of Prisons (Correctional Services), and the Superintendent of Police, Patna, to file detailed affidavits responding paragraph-wise to every allegation raised in the writ petition. The matter has been listed for further hearing after four weeks.
“Abducted Immediately After Release from Jail,” Petition Alleges
According to the petition, Avinash Srivastava was released on bail from Bhagalpur Central Jail on the morning of November 29, 2025. It is alleged that moments after stepping out of the jail premises, two men in plain clothes forcibly intercepted him, assaulted him, and pushed him into a vehicle.
The petition further claims that he was subsequently taken to Barauni and areas falling under Sabalpur Police Station, where police personnel allegedly searched for a suitable location to stage an encounter.
Allegations of Forced Confession and Fabricated Recovery
Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate Om Prakash Kumar submitted before the Court that Avinash Srivastava was later brought to Chowk Police Station in Patna City through a rear entrance.
The petition alleges that on the midnight of December 1, he was taken near a railway overbridge (ROB), where bullets were allegedly planted in his pocket and a country-made firearm was forcibly placed around his waist.
It is further alleged that he was threatened with death and compelled to record a so-called confession video under duress, admitting to criminal activities.
Criminal Writ Filed Against Three Officials
Based on these allegations, a criminal writ petition has been instituted against the then SHO of Chowk Police Station, Manjeet Thakur, Sub-Inspector Gaurav Kumar, and Rajiv Jha, the Superintendent of Bhagalpur Central Jail.
Taking note of the seriousness of the allegations, the High Court has now sought detailed responses from the State’s top police and prison authorities.
However, it must be noted that all allegations contained in the petition remain subject to judicial scrutiny and have not been established in a court of law. No official response from the concerned officers has yet been made public, and the final determination of the facts will depend upon the evidence and proceedings before the High Court.
