Jayalakshmi Manikandan v. The State Rep By, the Inspector of Police

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 21.04.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Jayalakshmi Manikandan, W/o.Manikandan .. Petitioner in Crl.O.P.No.9960/2026 Mohankumar Periyasamy, S/o.Periyasamy ...Petitioner in Crl.O.P.No.9961/2026 Vs State represented by The Inspector of Police, Madathukulam Police Station, Tiruppur District – 642 113, Crime No.57 of 2026 ...Respondent in both Crl.O.Ps. Common Prayer: Criminal Original Petitions filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023 to grant an anticipatory bail to the petitioners in the event of their arrest or on appearance before any Court in connection with the case in Crime No.57 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.J.Aravind [in Crl.O.P.No.9960 of 2026] Mr.M N Balakrishnan [in Crl.O.P.No.9961 of 2026] For Respondent(s): [in both Crl.O.Ps.] Mr.P.Dhileepan, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Page2 of 6 COMMON ORDER The petitioners, who apprehend arrest for the alleged offence 303(2) of BNS read with Section 21(1) of Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 in Crime No.57 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police seek anticipatory bail.

¶2The allegation against the petitioners is that the petitioners were involved in illegal transportation of 6 units of stones without any valid permit or licence by using a tipper lorry and that the petitioners were caught red handed by the respondent police. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioner 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 petitioners. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. Page3 of 6

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

¶6Considering the totality circumstances of the case and on the further fact that the petitioners have no previous case, 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 Learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Madathukulam, 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 petitioner fails 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/accused are directed to produce a Page4 of 6 demand draft for a sum of Rs.80,000/- each (Rupees Eighty thousand only) totally Rs.1,60,000/- (Rupees One lakh Sixty thousand only) in favour of the 'The Chairman/District Collector, The District Mineral Foundation Trust of Tiruppur District', (Non refundable) before the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Madathukulam;

(d) On production of the above Demand Draft, the learned Magistrate is directed to take necessary steps to hand over the same to the District Collector. Upon receipt of the said amount, the District Collector shall realise and utilise the same strictly in accordance with law and in terms of G.O.Ms.No.84, Natural Resources (MMD.1) Department, dated 16.12.2025;

(e) The petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 am for a period of four weeks;

(f) 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];

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

21.04.2026 mp Page5 of 6 To

¶1The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Madathukulam

¶2The Inspector of Police, Madathukulam Police Station, Tiruppur District – 642 113,

¶3The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

¶4The Chairman/District Collector, The District Mineral Foundation Trust of Tiruppur District. Page6 of 6

C.KUMARAPPAN, J. mp

21.04.2026