Mohan v. State Represented by the Inspector of Police

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

22.06.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 105, 125 (a) of BNS and Section 14 (1) and 3 of Casual Labour Act, in Crime No.218 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seek bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the first and second petitioners are the owners of a company namely M/s.Peter and Paul Sea Food Export Pvt. Ltd., located at Kattupalli. It is a sea food processing industry where more than a Page2 of 4 hundred persons are employed. It is alleged that there was a leakage in the tank carrying Ammonia, which is kept inside the company premises to supply gas to the industry, causing breathing difficulties for the employees. It is further alleged that due to inappropriate safety measures and lack of care on the petitioner's part, the lives of innocent workers from Assam, Bihar and other states were severely affected. Hence the case.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioners are innocent and have been in custody since 22.06.2026. He further submitted that the entire unfortunate incident happened due to circumstances beyond the petitioner's control and even according to the allegations made in the First Information Report, it was purely an accident. He further stated that the petitioners are aged persons and having medical ailments. He further submitted that the petitioners are ready and willing to pay compensation ranging from Rs.5,00,000/-. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioners.

4.Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that initially seventy-one peoples were admitted to the hospital due to the careless attitude of the petitioners. Out of these, eighteen have died; nine are out of danger; three are still in the ICU and one is on a ventilator. Hence, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioners. Page3 of 4

¶5I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6.Though the learned counsel for the petitioners contended that they are willing to pay compensation, it is their bounden duty to compensate for the loss of innocent lives. The petitioners cannot argue before this Court that bail can be secured merely by paying compensation as like a commodity. In a case of this magnitude, this Court is answerable to the conscience of society. Out of hundred workers, seventy-one persons were hospitalised, eighteen have already lost their lives and four remain in critical condition. In view of the extremely serious nature of the offence, this Court is of the firm view that this is not an appropriate stage to enlarge the petitioners on bail. Hence, the Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 09-07-2026 ep Page4 of 4

C.KUMARAPPAN, J. EP To The Inspector of Police C-2, Periyapalayam Police Station, Chennai. The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras. 09-07-2026

Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 09-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN 1. Mohan 2. Joseph Jegan 3. Daniel Titus Singh ..Petitioner(s) Vs State Represented by The Inspector of Police C-2, Periyapalayam Police Station, Chennai. ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, pleased to enlarge the Petitioners on bail in Cr.No.218 of 2026 pending investigation on the file of the respondent. For Petitioner(s): Mr.R.C.Paul Kanagaraj For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar, Government Advocate (Criminal Side )