P.Saraswathy v. The State Rep By, the Inspector of Police

O R D E R The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 120B and 420 IPC, in Crime No.1 of 2025, on the file of the respondent Police, seeks anticipatory bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner, along with the other accused, who are members of OLI Charitable Trust, Mayiladuthurai, cheated the de facto complainant and nearly 250 victims in the name of the Trust to the tune of about Rs.3.71 Crores. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. It is submitted that the petitioner was implicated solely on the ground that her husband is arrayed as Accused No.4 (A4), and while there are major overt acts attributed to her husband, she has been falsely roped into this case. He further submitted that the other co-accused have already been enlarged on bail/anticipatory bail. Hence, he prayed for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police opposed the grant of anticipatory bail and submitted that the petitioner is arrayed as Accused No.6 (A6) in this case. He further submitted that if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, it would hinder the investigation into the layering of the alleged crime money.

¶5Though such serious allegations are leveled against the petitioner, considering the facts that the FIR was registered on 24.07.2025, the co-accused have already been enlarged on bail/anticipatory bail, and the petitioner is a woman, this Court is of the firm view that, at this length of time, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required for the purpose of investigation. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail subject to certain conditions:

¶6Accordingly, 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 Chief Judicial Magistrate, Coimbatore, 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:

(a) If the petitioner 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 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 report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders;

(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.

20.07.2026 cda To

1.The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Coimbatore.

2.The Inspector of Police, CBCID-OCU Police Station, Coimbatore District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J. cda

20.07.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 20.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN P.Saraswathy ... Petitioner Vs. The State Represented by, The Inspector of Police, CBCID-OCU Police Station, Coimbatore District. (Crime No.1 of 2025) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event of her arrest in connection with Crime No.1 of 2025 on the file of respondent Police. For Petitioner : Mr.Mathan Raj For Respondent : Mr.N.Palanivel, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)