Velu v. The State Rep. by Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023 in Crime No.94 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

¶2The allegation against the petitioners is that the petitioners were involved in illegal transportation of 3 unit of Blue Metal Post Stone in a tractor Page2 of 6 without any valid permit or licence and that the petitioners were caught red handed by the respondent police. 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, upon instructions, submitted that no previous cases have been registered against the petitioner. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

¶5I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6.From the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) it is seen that the petitioners had no bad antecedents. Though, this Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as serious offence, taking into consideration of the fact that petitioners had no previous cases, and upon the fond hope that they would mend themselves in Page3 of 6 future and would not come under the adverse notice of the respondent, this Court is inclined to enlarge them on anticipatory bail, 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 Learned Judicial Magistrate Court, Gudiyatham, Vellore District, on condition that the petitioner 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 are directed to make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.75,000/- each [Rupees Seventy Five Thousand Only] totally Rs.1,50,000/- [Rupees One Lakh Fifty Thousand only] directly to the credit of "Tamilnadu State Legal Services Authority, High Court Campus, Page4 of 6 Chennai", without prejudice to the right of the defence before the Trial Court and the receipt shall be produced at the time of executing the bond;

(d) The petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 am and 5.30 pm for a period of two months;

(e) 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];

(f) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

10.04.2026 mp Page5 of 6 To

¶1The Judicial Magistrate Court, Gudiyatham, Vellore District.

¶2The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

¶3The Inspector of Police, Pernampet Police Station, Vellore District.

¶4The Tamilnadu State Legal Services Authority, High Court Campus, Chennai. CRLoOPoNo.o9028oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. mp CRLoOPoNo.o9028oofo2026

10.04.2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 10.04.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN 1. Velu, S/o.Balaraman 2. A.S.Sudhakar, S/o.L.Srinivasalu ..Petitioners Vs The State rep. By Inspector of Police, Pernampet Police Station, Vellore District. Crime No.94 of 2026 ..Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petitions filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023 to enlarge the Petitioners' anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest in Crime No.94 of 2026 pending investigation on the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Vijayakumar For Respondent(s): Mr.P.Dhileepan, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)