Sammed Panchodi v. The Station House Officer

ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

22.01.2026, for the alleged offence punishable under Sections 303 (2) r/w 3(5) Page2 of 6 of BNS 2023 in Crime No.10 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner has committed theft of the bag belonging to the defacto complainant which contains some valuable materials and cash worth about Rs.1,20,000/-. Hence this case.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioner is in custody from 22.01.2026 and he is ready to cooperate with the investigation and abide by any other stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

¶4The learned Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the stolen property has been recovered and there is no previous case pending against the petitioner. However, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

¶5Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side; taking note of the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner; that the stolen property has been recovered; there is no previous case pending Page3 of 6 against the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

¶6Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Principal Sessions Judge at Puducherry and on further conditions that:- [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of three weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation. [c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [e] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been Page4 of 6 imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself, as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560]; [f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 B.N.S. 26-02-2026 smn Note:

¶1Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

¶2All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. Page5 of 6 To

¶1The Principal Sessions Judge at Puducherry

¶2The Inspector of Police, Grand Bazaar Police Station, Puducherry

3.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Puducherry

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o4835oofo2026 K.RAJASEKAR,oJ. smn CRLoOPoNo.o4835oofo2026 26-02-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 26-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Sammed Panchodi S/o. Mahavir Panchodi ..Petitioner(s) Vs The Station House Officer, The Inspector of Police, Grand Bazaar Police Station, Puducherry Crime No. 10 of 2026. ..Respondent(s) Prayer:This petition is filed under Section 483 of BNSS to enlarge the petitioner on bail pending investigation in Crime No.10 of 2026 pending investigation on the file of the respondent and thus render Justice. For Petitioner(s): Mr. A. Anandharaj For Respondent(s): Mr.M.V. Ramachandra Murthy Public Prosecutor, Govt of puducherry