Former Mahoba SP Manilal Patidar Granted Conditional Bail by Supreme Court in Kabarai Crusher Trader Murder Case

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Mahoba/UP: The Supreme Court on Friday granted conditional bail to former Mahoba Superintendent of Police, Manilal Patidar, who is accused in the sensational murder of explosives trader Indrakant Tripathi in the stone industry town of Kabarai. The apex court has restricted Patidar from entering the district where the crime took place, allowing access only if required for trial purposes. He has also been ordered to surrender his passport.

Background of the Case
Indrakant Tripathi, a prominent stone and explosives trader from Kabarai, had publicly accused Patidar and other police officials of demanding extortion money and harassing him. In a video that went viral on social media on September 7, 2020, Tripathi alleged that Patidar demanded a monthly bribe of ₹6 lakh and threatened him with death when he failed to comply.

Tripathi was found shot in his vehicle on September 8, 2020, and initially admitted to the district hospital before being referred to Kanpur Medical College due to his critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries on September 13, 2020, sparking outrage and intense public discussion in the region.

Legal Proceedings
Following Tripathi’s death, his brother Ravikant Tripathi filed a case against Patidar, Kabarai station in-charge Devendra Shukla, and traders Brahmadatt and Suresh Soni under charges including abetment to suicide. Subsequently, Patidar mysteriously went underground, evading authorities for nearly two years, during which multiple teams searched for him across Rajasthan and other states. A reward of ₹1 lakh was announced for his capture. He eventually surrendered in 2022 before the Additional District & Sessions Judge (Anti-Corruption). Around the same time, the government dismissed him from service.

Wider Investigation and Impact
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case also uncovered disproportionate assets held by constable Arun Yadav, who was later implicated. Departmental action was taken against eight inspectors and five sub-inspectors for acquiring wealth beyond known sources, causing shockwaves across the police department.

Patidar had previously been denied bail by the High Court, after which he filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court, resulting in his recent conditional release.

The case, one of the most sensational in Uttar Pradesh in recent years, continues to unfold, highlighting concerns about corruption and accountability within the state police system.