K.Lakshmanan v. The Deputy Superintendent of Police,

ORDER The criminal original petition has been filed to direct the learned Sessions Judge (Special Court for SC/ST cases), Kallkurichi to consider Petitioner's Bail Application on the same day of surrender in connection with a case in Cr. No.65/2026 on the file of the respondent.

¶2Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the first and second respondents.

¶3Considering the submissions made and upon perusal of the materials available on record, it is seen that, in this case, on 18.02.2016, information was received that one Santhosh, S/o. Balamurugan, was employed as a bonded labourer by the petitioner in the Kattukottai area. Based on the said information, a team headed by the Tahsildar, along with the defacto complainant/Village Administrative Officer, the Revenue Divisional Officer, the Zonal Deputy Tahsildar, the Labour Inspector, members of the Child Welfare Committee, and police officials, visited the field of the petitioner at about 9.30 a.m. During the inspection, they found that the said Santhosh, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, was working as a bonded labourer under the petitioner. Consequently, the third respondent, namely the Village Administrative Officer Page3 of 5 of Thenchettiyandal Village, Kallakurichi District, lodged a complaint against the petitioner.

4.In view of the above factual position, there shall be a direction to the the learned Sessions Judge (Special Court for SC/ST cases), Kallkurichi to consider the petitioners' bail application, preferably on the same day of his surrender, in connection with Crime No.65 of 2026 on the file of the second respondent Police and to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity to the victim under Section 15-A of the SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989. The petitioners shall surrender before the jurisdictional Court concerned within a period of fifteen days from the date of the receipt of a copy of this order.

¶5The Criminal Original Petition stands disposed of accordingly. 10-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order RKP Page4 of 5 To

¶1The Sessions Judge (Special Court for SC/ST cases), Kallkurichi.

¶2The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kallakurichi.

¶3The Inspector of Police, Chinna Salem Police Station, Kallakurichi.

¶4The Village Assistant Officer, Thenchettiyandal Village, Kallakurichi. CRLoOPoNo.o5266oofo2026 M.NIRMALoKUMAR,oJ. RKP CRLoOPoNo.o5266oofo2026 10-03-2026 Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 10-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR K.Lakshmanan ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kallakurichi. 2. The Inspector of Police, Chinna Salem Police Station, Kallakurichi, Cr.No.65 of 2026. 3. The Village Assistant Officer, Thenchettiyandal Village, Kallakurichi. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: This Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS to direct the learned Sessions Judge (Special Court for SC/ST cases), Kallkurichi to consider Petitioner's Bail Application on the same day of surrender in connection with a case in Cr. No.65/2026 on the file of the respondent. For Petitioner(s): Mr. N.Ranjithkumar For Respondent(s): M/S. LEONARD ARUL JOSEPH SELVAM ADDITIONAL PP FOR R1 & R2 Page2 of 5