Santhosh Kumar v. The State Represented by

ORDER The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 303(2) and 326(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023 in Crime No.384 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail. Page2 of 6

¶2The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner was involved in illegal transportation of ¼ units of river sand without any valid permit or licence. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was innocent and he has not committed any such offence as alleged by the defacto complainant and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to co-operate for investigation. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, upon instructions, submitted that no previous cases have been registered against the petitioner. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

¶5Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the respondent.

¶6From the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), it is seen that the petitioner does not have any previous cases. This Page3 of 6 Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as a serious offence. However, taking into consideration of the fact that the petitioner has no previous case, and upon the fond hope that he would mend himself in future and would not come under the adverse notice of the respondent, this Court is inclined to enlarge him on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on anticipatory bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate-IV, Vellore, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions:

(a) If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

(b) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the application for surety ship (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify Page4 of 6 proofs to ensure their identity;

(c) The petitioner shall sign before the respondent police twice a day at 10.30 a.m., and 5.30 p.m., for a period of four weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation;

(d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560];

(e) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 12-03-2026 MPA Page5 of 6 To

¶1The Judicial Magistrate-IV, Vellore.

¶2The Sub Inspector of Police, Vellore North Police Station, Vellore District. Crime No.384 of 2025

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o6360oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. MPA CRLoOPoNo.o6360oofo2026 12-03-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 12-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Santhosh kumar S/o.Babu, No.22, Ammangkuttai, Salvan Pettai, Vellore-632001. ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Represented by The Sub Inspector of Police, Vellore North Police Station, Vellore District. Crime No.384 of 2025 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the Petitioner on bail in the event of his arrest in connection with Crime No.384 of 2025 on the file of the Respondent Police and thus rendering justice. For Petitioner(s): P.Sriram For Respondent(s): Mr.P.Dhileepan Government Advocate (Crl.Side)