Patna High Court Quashes Assault Case Against Bihar Minister Santosh Kumar Suman

The Patna High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against Bihar Minister Santosh Kumar Suman in a 2017 case arising from a road blockade protest in Bodh Gaya.

The Court noted that the FIR did not attribute any act of assault, instigation, or violence to Suman, and merely alleged that he was addressing the gathering.

Justice Sandeep Kumar held that such an allegation, without any specific overt act, could not sustain serious criminal charges.

Finding that continuation of proceedings would amount to abuse of process of law, the Court quashed the case against Suman, while clarifying that proceedings against other accused would continue.

[Santosh Kumar Suman v. State of Bihar]