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

ORDER The petitioners apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 294(b), 403, 312 and 506(ii) IPC read with Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, in Crime No.139 of 2026, on the file of the respondent Police, seek anticipatory bail.

¶2The allegation against the petitioners is that, they subjected the defacto complainant to matrimonial cruelty, demanded money from her parental family, retained her jewels, administered medicines causing miscarriage and thereafter threatened and intimidated her. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the Page3 of 6 petitioners are innocent and they have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioners are having a good reputation in their locality and deep roots in society. He further submitted that they are ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks 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 the alleged occurrence took place in July 2025, whereas the FIR was registered only on 22.05.2026. Hence, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

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

¶6From the submissions made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), that there are five accused in this case, the alleged occurrence took place in July 2025 and the FIR was registered only on 22.05.2026, and further considering that the dispute is relate to matrimonial relationship and the fact that there is a delay in registration of the FIR, and the third and fifth petitioners are women, at this length of time, this Court is of the firm view that custodial Page4 of 6 interrogation of the petitioners is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their 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, Mettur, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a separate 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 petitioners 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 slip (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 1, 2, 4 shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m for a period of two weeks and the petitioners 3 and 5, being ladies, shall report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation; Page5 of 6

(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 Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560];.

(e) If the petitioners thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 22-06-2026 DRL To

¶1The Judicial Magistrate Court, Mettur.

2.The Inspector of Police Nangavalli Police Station, Salem District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o14903oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. DRL CRLoOPoNo.o14903oofo2026 22-06-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 22-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN 1. Sakthivel S/o.Palanimalai, D.No. 8.133, pudhu colony, Veerakkal, Salem, Tamil Nadu - 636 454 2. Palanimalai D.No. 8.133, pudhu colony, Veerakkal, Mettur Salem, Tamil Nadu - 636 454 3. Veerammal W/o.Palanimalai, D.No. 8.133, pudhu colony, Veerakkal, Salem,Tamil Nadu – 636454 4. NaveenKumar S/o.Palanimalai, D.No. 8.133, pudhu colony, Veerakkal, Mettur Salem,,Tamil Nadu – 636454. 5. Sampooranam W/o.Ayyandurai, 3/277 Molandipatti, Ettikuttapatti, Mattukaranur, Omalur Salem, Tamil Nadu – 636011. ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep By, The Inspector of Police Nangavalli Police Station, Salem District. Crime No.139 of 2026 Page2 of 6 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest in crime no.139 of 2026 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Nangavalli Police Station, Salem District and pass such further or other orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s): M/S.M.HARIHARAN For Respondent(s): MR.N.PALANIVEL, GOVT.ADVOCATE (CRL.SIDE)