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

ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

13.05.2026 for the alleged offence punishable under Sections 7(a) and 7(A) of the Prevention of the Corruption Act, 1988 as amended by the Prevention of Corruption Amendment Act, 2018, in Crime No.4/AC/2026 on the file of the Page2 of 6 respondent police, seeks bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was caught during a trap operation for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.20,000/- for the purpose of providing an electricity service connection. Pursuant to the trap, the petitioner was arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent. He further submits that the co-accused (A2) has already been released on bail by this Court in Crl.OP.No.14169 of 2026 vide order 05.06.2026 and therefore, the petitioner seeks bail on the ground of parity. The learned counsel pointed out the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, he prays for the grant of bail.

¶4The learned Government Counsel (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police opposes the grant of bail to the petitioner, but does not seriously dispute the factum of the release of the co-accused (A2) on bail.

¶5I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side.

¶6Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly the Page3 of 6 fact that this is a trap case and the custody of the petitioner is no longer required for investigation, and taking note of the totality of the circumstances, the period of incarceration, and the fact that the co-accused has already been enlarged on bail, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail, subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on their executing 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 Principal District and Session Judge, Salem, and subject to the following conditions: [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the Application for Suretyship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before respondent Police daily at 10:30 a.m. for a period of 30 days and thereafter as and when required for interrogation; [c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [e] on breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the Page4 of 6 conditions had been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court itself, as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283]; [f] if the petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 08-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Jeni Note:

¶1Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

¶2All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. Page5 of 6 To

1.The Principal District and Session Judge, Salem.

2.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Salem

3.The Inspector of Police, Vigilance and Anti Corruption, Salem.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai. CRLoOPoNo.o14338oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. Jeni CRLoOPoNo.o14338oofo2026 08-06-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 08-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Karthick ..Petitioner(s) Vs State Rep by, Inspector of Police Vigilance and Anti Corruption, Salem (Crime No.4/AC/2026) ..Respondent(s) Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.4/AC/2026 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Vigilance and Anti Corruption, Salem, pending investigation and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s): Mr.L.Mouli For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)