Srimurugan v. The State Rep By, the Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offences under Sections 318, 318(4) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 r/w Section 66D of IT Act, in Page2 of 6 Crime No.209 of 2024, on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

¶2The prosecution case is that the present case pertains to an offence of cheating involving fraudulent bank transactions. The defacto complainant came across a telegram channel named 'Lazard Group" through an Instagram ID 'bullstockgroup'. Believing the representations made herein, the defacto complainant invested money in the course of the purported business activities. It is alleged that the de facto complainant was cheated and substantial amounts were transferred to the bank account of the petitioner, who subsequently withdrew the amounts. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court and they are willing to cooperate with the investigation. Hence, he prayed for grant of anticipatory bail.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the case of the prosecution and vehemently opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner submits the petitioner is the first accused

(A1) in the case. There are totally two accused and the accused persons cheated Page3 of 6 the de facto complainant to the tune of Rs.1.15 crores. Out of the said amount, a sum of Rs.6,24,706/- was transferred to the bank account of the petitioner and was subsequently withdrew by him. The learned Government Advocate further submitted that, immediately after summons were issued by the Court, the petitioner has filed the present petition seeking anticipatory bail only to evade the due process of law.

5.This Court has considered the submissions made on either side.

¶6From the submissions of the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), it is seen that the petitioner has no previous criminal antecedents. Though the total amount alleged to have been cheated in the present case is Rs.1.15 crores, the amount alleged to have been transferred to and routed through the petitioner's bank account is Rs.6,24,706/-. At this juncture, the learned Government Advocate submitted that, despite the issuance of summons, the petitioner has not appeared before the respondent Police for enquiry. However, considering the fact that the amount alleged to have been transacted through the petitioner's account is only Rs.6,24,706/-, that the FIR was registered in the year 2024, and having regard to the length of time that has elapsed since the registration of the case, this Court is of the view that custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to certain following conditions. Page4 of 6

¶6Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on 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 is made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court-I, Kancheepuram, 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 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 petitioner shall report before the respondent Police daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of fifteen [15] days 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 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 Page5 of 6 Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560];

(e) If the petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 01-07-2026 JRS To

1.The Judicial Magistrate Court-I, Kancheepuram.

¶2The Inspector of Police Cyber Crime Wing, (CCD-1) Avadi Police Commissionerate, Tiruvallur District. (Crime No. 209/2024)

¶3The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court. CRLoOPoNo.o12384oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. JRS CRLoOPoNo.o12384oofo2026 01-07-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 01-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Srimurugan No.4/14B, Dr.Ambethkar Nagar, 1st Street, Thiruvottiyur, Chennai ..Petitioner/ Accused Vs The State Rep By, The Inspector of Police Cyber Crime Wing, (CCD-1) Avadi Police Commissionerate, Tiruvallur District. (Crime No. 209/2024) ..Respondent/ Complainant PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023, to grant an Anticipatory Bail to the petitioner in the event of his arrest or on his appearance before any court in connection with the case in Crime No. 209 of 2024 pending investigation on the file of the Respondent Police . For Petitioner(s): Ms.Meena L For Respondent(s): Ms.R.S.Indira, Govt.Advocate (crl.Side)