The State of Tamilnadu Rep.By, v. Tr.A.Balaraman

ORDER This Criminal Revision Case has been filed by the petitioner State against the order dated 25.08.2025 passed by the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dharmapuri, in Crl.M.P.No.130 of 2024 in Spl.C.C.No.2 of 2023.

¶2This Court, after hearing the parties, passed the following order on 15.04.2026:-… "2. The submissions of the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), appearing for the petitioner/State, are as follows:-

2.1. During the search conducted at the house of one Jayapal, Deputy Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Dharmapuri District, who is the son-in-law of the respondent herein, in connection with Crime No.03/AC/2022, an unexplained cash of Rs.40 lakhs was seized and in such circumstances, if no proper explanation is given, the officials are entitled to recover the amount from the son-in-Page3 of 8 law of the respondent.

2.2. Based on the seizure, an FIR has been registered against the son-in-law of the respondent and the investigation is pending. The son-in-law of the respondent has been directed to give an explanation with regard to the recovery of the huge sum and till date, no explanation has been given by him.

2.3. Meanwhile, the respondent had filed a petition seeking return of the aforesaid seized cash and the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dharmapuri, without taking into consideration the pendency of investigation, has allowed the petition without imposing any stringent condition so as to protect the interest of the prosecution.

2.4. There is every possibility of the respondent spending the money, in which event recovery would become difficult.

¶3Learned counsel for the respondent submitted that the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dharmapuri, has also imposed a condition that if required, the Page4 of 8 respondent has to deposit an amount in the Court. However, without prejudice to his rights, the respondent is also ready to furnish any other security to the satisfaction of this Court.

¶4Post the matter on 20.04.2026."

¶3Mr.S.Udayakumar, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), appearing for the petitioner State, submitted that since the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dharmapuri, had imposed a flimsy condition in the order dated 25.08.2025 without taking into consideration the interest of the State, this revision case has been filed challenging the said order. He further submitted that till date, the investigation is pending.

¶4Mr.N.U.Pressanna, learned counsel appearing for the respondent, submitted that the respondent is a man of means and that the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dharmapuri, had imposed a condition requiring the respondent to deposit the amount into the Court, Page5 of 8 as and when required. He further submitted that the respondent has purchased a property measuring 1 acre 4 cents vide Sale Deed dated

24.09.2025, registered at the Office of the SRO, Aramangalam. Since the amount deposited in the Court may not fetch interest, the respondent has already withdrawn the amount and invested the same in the purchase of a land, the current market value of which is Rs.40,00,000/-. He further submitted that the respondent is ready and willing to hand over the original title deed of the said land to the Court concerned to protect the interest of the State.

¶5I do not find any infirmity in the order dated 25.08.2025 passed by the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dharmapuri, in Crl.M.P.No.130 of 2024 in Spl.C.C.No.2 of 2023. However, to strike a balance and protect the interest of the State, this Court is of the opinion that the respondent may be directed to hand over the original title deed of the property to the Court concerned so that the prosecution can have a hold over the property in lieu of the return of case Page6 of 8

¶6Accordingly, this Criminal Revision Case stands disposed of, with a direction to the respondent to hand over the original title deed of the property registered as Document No.7567/2026 at the office of the SRO, Aramangalam, to the petitioner.

¶7Pursuant to this order of this Court today, the learned counsel for the respondent has handed over the original title deed of the property to the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the petitioner State in the open Court. The petitioner State shall issue necessary acknowledgment for the same and hand over the original title deed to the Court concerned, within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Further, it is made clear that the petitioner State shall continue with the investigation. Connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 20-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Sni Page7 of 8 To

1.The Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dharmapuri.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. CRL.RC.No.651oofo2026 A.D.JAGADISHoCHANDIRA,oJ. Sni CRL.RC.No.651oofo2026 andoCRL.M.P.No.4907oofo2026 20-04-2026 Page8oofo8

Page1 of 8 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 20-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA and CRL.M.P.No.4907 of 2026 The State of Tamil Nadu rep.by, The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri District. Cr.No.03/AC/2022. ..Petitioner(s) Vs. Tr.A.Balaraman ..Respondent(s) Prayer : Criminal Revision Case filed under Section 397 Cr.P.C., praying to set aside the impugned order dated 25.08.2025 passed in Crl.M.P.No.130 of 2024 in Special C.C.No.2 of 2023 on the file of the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dharmapuri. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Udayakumar, Government Advocate (Crl. Side) For Respondent : Mr.N.U.Pressanna Page2 of 8