Patna: Patna High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Raghunathpur MLA Osama Shahab, son of former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, in connection with a land dispute case.
A single-judge bench of Justice Khatim Reza allowed the anticipatory bail plea after hearing submissions from both the petitioner and the prosecution.
Court Had Earlier Stayed Coercive Action
During an earlier hearing, the High Court had sought the case diary and directed that no coercive action be taken against Osama Shahab until further orders.
Senior Advocate Naresh Dixit, appearing for the petitioner, told the court that a title suit concerning the ownership of the disputed land is already pending before a competent civil court in Siwan.
Defence Cites Pending Civil Dispute
The defence argued that the petitioner had lawfully purchased the land, while the complainant was also claiming ownership of the same property. It submitted that the question of ownership could only be decided by the civil court hearing the title suit.
The counsel further contended that criminal liability arising from construction activity on the disputed land could not be determined until the issue of ownership was settled.
FIR Did Not Allege Direct Criminal Act
Referring to the first information report (FIR), the petitioner’s counsel argued that Osama Shahab had not been accused of any direct criminal act or of issuing threats. According to the defence, the FIR only referred to a mobile phone conversation involving the MLA.
High Court Grants Relief
After considering the case records and hearing arguments from both sides, the Patna High Court allowed the anticipatory bail petition, granting relief to Osama Shahab in the land dispute case.
