The Patna High Court was hearing the anticipatory petition filed by a man allegedly running a hostel in Muzaffarpur and was charged for the murder of a minor child residing in the accommodation. (AI generated image)The Patna High Court has refused anticipatory bail to a hostel operator accused in connection with the death of an eight-year-old boy whose father alleged that the child was assaulted by a hostel “sir”, threatened into silence, and later died while undergoing treatment. Justice Satyavrat Verma found merit in the prosecution’s argument that the delay in filing the FIR could not be viewed in isolation when the child’s father was struggling to save his son’s life. “After hearing the learned counsel for the parties, the Court is in agreement with the submission made by the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) and is not inclined to extend the privilege of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, the prayer for anticipatory bail of the petitioner is rejected,” the June 30 order read. The high court was hearing the anticipatory petition filed by one Ravi Kumar Yadav, who was facing charges for the murder of a minor child residing in a hostel in Muzaffarpur, where the accused was running the said accommodation. A call, father’s visit and child’s deathThe minor’s father claimed in this case that about five months back, his minor son, aged about 8 years, was admitted to Gyan Ganga Hostel, Muzaffarpur. He added that the hostel was run by the petitioner and allegedly he called him on Septemer 22, 2025, at 4 pm and informed that his son was unwell. Justice Satyavrat Verma noted that the child died during treatment on October 4, 2025.The father claimed that on September 22, 2025, at around 4 pm, the petitioner called him and informed him that his son was unwell. He said that when he reached the hostel the following morning, he noticed visible injury marks on the child’s face and found his condition deteriorating.Also Read | Who is accountable if AI gets the law wrong? Supreme Court’s warning sparks debateHe further alleged that when he asked his son about the injuries, the child told him that a hostel “sir” (petitioner) had assaulted him a few days earlier and warned him not to tell his family, threatening further assault if he disclosed the incident.Story continues below this adThe father further added that after this conversation, he started vomiting and was brought to a private hospital for treatment, but when his condition deteriorated, he was brought to another hospital on September 27, 2025. However, he died during treatment on October 4, 2025.Arguments The petitioner was represented by advocate Sanjeev Ranjan, who submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the instant case by the victim’s father. It was submitted that if the petitioner had assaulted the child, he would not have called the father himself and informed him that the boy was unwell.It is added that if the child had been assaulted in the manner alleged in the FIR, in that event, the FIR would have been instituted instantly and not on October 5, 2025, which is after the death of the child. Story continues below this adThe petitioner further argued that if the assault had occurred in the manner alleged, the FIR would have been lodged immediately and not on October 5, 2025, a day after the child’s death.Opposing the plea, Assistant Public Prosecutor Chandra Sen Prasad Singh argued that although the FIR was registered on October 5, 2025, the delay could not be treated as fatal to the prosecution’s case.The prosecutor submitted that the child had visible injuries, was repeatedly vomiting and was undergoing treatment, and that one can well imagine the mental condition of a father trying to save his seriously ill son.Richa Sahay is a Legal Correspondent for The Indian Express, where she focuses on simplifying the complexities of the Indian judicial system. A law postgraduate, she leverages her advanced legal education to bridge the gap between technical court rulings and public understanding, ensuring that readers stay informed about the rapidly evolving legal landscape. Expertise Advanced Legal Education: As a law postgraduate, Richa possesses the academic depth required to interpret intricate statutes and constitutional nuances. Her background allows her to provide more than just summaries; she offers context-driven analysis of how legal changes impact the average citizen. Specialized Beat: She operates at the intersection of law and public policy, focusing on: Judicial Updates: Providing timely reports on orders from the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts. Legal Simplification: Translating dense "legalese" into accessible, engaging narratives without sacrificing factual accuracy. Legislative Changes: Monitoring new bills, amendments, and regulatory shifts that shape Indian society. ... Read More Tags:alleged murderPatna High Court