R V Natraaj v. The State Rep. by the Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 115(2), 118(1), 143 and 146 of B.N.S. read with Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and Sections 16, 17 and 18 of Page2 of 6 the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act in Crime No.73 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner is running a Trust namely "Sri Gokula Krishna Goshala', a unit of 'Sri Krishna Amrutham Public Charitable Trust' and there are around 2007 cows, bulls and calves and he employed some persons to maintain the animals and he had used them as bonded labour. Hence the case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is running a 'Goshaala' and it is supported by Tamil Nadu Animals Welfare Board. It is the case of the petitioner that since his employees treated the cows cruelly and when this petitioner questioned the same, this false complaint has been foisted against him. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

¶4At this juncture, the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police would submit that the petitioner has a previous case of similar nature and hence strongly objected to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. Page3 of 6

¶5Heard the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

¶6The learned Government Advocate has submitted that the petitioner has previous case of similar nature. However, on clarification, it came to light that that case is not arisen under Bonded Labour System (Abolition (Act and it comes only under IPC offence. Hence considering the totality of circumstances, upon the fact the petitioner is running a goshaala certified by 'The Animal Welfare Board of India' and 'The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB)' and the previous case pending against the petitioner is not of similar nature, this Court is of the firm view that having the FIR came to be registered on 11.04.2026, at this length of time, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required and besides the petitioner is aged about 60 years, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions:

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on anticipatory bail in the event of arrest or on her appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate, Uthukottai, 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: Page4 of 6

(a) If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned 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 sign before the Court concerned i.e., District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Uthukottai daily at 10.30 a.m., and

5.30 p.m., for a period of two weeks;

(d) 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];

(e) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 15-06-2026 MJS Page5 of 6 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. To

¶1The District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate, Uthukottai.

¶2The Inspector of Police, C-4, Pennalurpet Police Station, Uthukottai Taluk, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu-602 022.

¶3The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o14668oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. MJS CRLoOPoNo.o14668oofo2026 15-06-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN R V Natraaj S/o. Venkatachalam, Residing at Devandavakkam Village,Uthukottai Taluk, Tiruvallur District.Tamil Nadu - 602023 ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State represented by: The Inspector of Police C-4, Pennalurpet Police Station, Uthukottai Taluk, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu-602 022. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner/accused in the event of arrest in Crime No.73 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police Station, Tiruvallur District. For Petitioner(s): Mr. Adinarayana Rao For Respondent(s): Mr. N. Palanivel, Government Advocate (Criminal Side).