Suthanthira Dhas v. The State Rep by Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioners, who apprehend arrest for the alleged offence under Section 85 of BNS and Section 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act in Crime No.21 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police seek anticipatory bail. Page2 of 5

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the de facto complainant is the wife of the first accused and that the petitioners are the father-in-law, mother-in-law and sister-in-law of the de facto complainant. It is further alleged that, due to matrimonial disputes between the first accused and the de facto complainant, the later lodged a complaint before the respondent police, making allegations against the petitioners. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners were innocent and that they have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that they are ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court and they are ready to co-operate for investigation. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

¶5From the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on either side, it is seen that the petitioners have settled the issue with the de facto complainant, which fact has also been admitted by the learned counsel for the intervener as well as the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side). The dispute Page3 of 5 arises out of matrimonial issues. Hence, this Court is of the view that custodial interrogation of the petitioners is not required. Therefore, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners, subject to certain conditions.

7.Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the Additional Mahila Court, Egmore on condition that each of the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five 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 petitioners fail to surrender before the concerned learned 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 proofs to ensure their identity;

(c) The petitioners shall report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation; Page4 of 5

(d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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 petitioners thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

27.04.2026 kv To

¶1The Additional Mahila Court, Egmore.

¶2Inspector of Police All Women Police Station Thousand Lights Triplicane, Chennai.

¶3The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. CRLoOPoNo.8609oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. kv CRLoOPoNo.8609oofo2026

27.04.2026 1/3o Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 27.04.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN 1. Suthanthira Dhas 2. Silvia Hanah 3. G.S.Jemima ..Petitioners Vs The State Rep by Inspector of Police All Women Police Station Thousand Lights Triplicane, Chennai. (Crime No.21 of 2025) ..Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023 to enlarge the petitioners herein on anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest in connection with the Crime No.21 of 2025 on the file of the respondent Police. For Petitioners : Mr.A.Divine Rojer For Respondent : For Intervener : Mr.P.Dhileepan, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.D.Padmanabhan