Balaji v. The State Rep By,

ORDER The petitioners, who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

21.05.2026 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 326(a) and 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, read with Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in Crime No.223 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seek bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that based on a complaint lodged by the Village Administrative Officer (VAO), the petitioners were found illegally transporting river sand using a vehicle without any valid license or permit. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioners submit that the petitioners are innocent and have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that the petitioners are neither the owners of the vehicle nor the owners of the alleged mineral involved in the offence. He states that the petitioners have been in continuous judicial custody since 21.05.2026 and are willing to abide by any stringent conditions, and thus prays for the grant of bail.

¶4The learned Government Counsel (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police opposes the grant of bail, highlighting that a total of 8 vehicles were involved in the occurrence and that the investigation is still Page3 of 6 underway. However, he fairly concedes that there are no bad antecedents or previous cases pending against the petitioners.

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

¶6Considering the facts and the totality of the circumstances of the case, this Court takes note of the fact that the petitioners are neither the owners of the vehicle nor the owners of the seized mineral. Taking into further consideration the period of incarceration already undergone by the petitioners since

21.05.2026 and the fact that they have no previous cases of similar nature, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioners on bail, subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail on their executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) each, with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Panruti, 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; Page4 of 6 [b] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10.30 a.m. for a period of two weeks and as and when required for interrogation; [c] the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [d] the petitioners 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 petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions had been imposed and the petitioners 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 petitioners thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 12-06-2026 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 Judicial Magistrate No.I, Panruti.

2.The Superintendent, Sub Jail, Panruti.

3.The Inspector of Police, Panruti Police Station, Cuddalore District.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai. CRLoOPoNo.o14867oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. Jeni CRLoOPoNo.o14867oofo2026 12-06-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 12-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN 1. Balaji 2. Aravind 3. Balamurugan 4. Mayakannan 5. Babu 6. Sankar 7. Karthikeyan ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep By, Station House Officer, Panruti Police Station, Cudddalore District. Crime No.223 of 2026 ..Respondent(s) Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to enlarge the petitioners on bail in Crime No.223 of 2026 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Panruti Police station, Cuddalore District. For Petitioner(s): Mr.T.Perinbanathan For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side) Page2 of 6