Soundarajan @ Soundhar Rajan v. The State Rep. by Its the Sub-Inspector of Police,

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

13.06.2026 and 15.06.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 191(2), 191(3), 296(b), 115(2), 118(1) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 @ Sections 191(2), 191(3), 296(b), 115(2), 103(2) and 351(3) of BNS in Crime No.286 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seek bail.

¶2It is the case of the prosecution that initially the first petitioner's wife was in a relationship with the deceased and, in this regard, the deceased came to the first petitioner's residence during night hours and created a ruckus. In connection therewith, a wordy quarrel arose, which escalated into an altercation, whereby the petitioners attacked the deceased using hands, thereby causing his death. Hence, the case

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent and have been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the petitioners have been in custody since 13.06.2026 and

15.06.2026 respectively and are ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. He further submitted that the occurrence took place on 10.06.2026, whereas the FIR came to be registered only on 12.06.2026. Hence, he prayed for the grant of bail.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent, while opposing the grant of bail to the petitioners, reiterated the prosecution case and, on instructions, submitted that a major portion of the investigation has already been completed and that the petitioners have no criminal antecedents.

¶5Though the allegations levelled against the petitioners are serious in nature, considering the totality of the circumstances, the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioners, the fact that the petitioners have no criminal antecedents, the delay in registration of the FIR, and also the fact that a major portion of the investigation has already been completed, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioners on bail, subject to certain conditions.

¶6Accordingly, 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) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Salem and subject to the following conditions: [a] 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 the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10.30 a.m. for a period of two weeks and thereafter 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 petitioner 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.

03.08.2026 skr 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 learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Salem

¶2The Superintendent, Central Prison, Salem

¶3The Sub-Inspector of Police, Sooramangalam Police Station, Salem

¶4The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras C.KUMARAPPAN,J. skr

03.08.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 03.08.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN 1. Soundarajan @ Soundhar Rajan 2. Gowtham 3. Vijay 4. Divanraj ... Petitioner(s) Vs. The State rep. by The Sub-Inspector of Police, Sooramangalam Police Station, Salem ... Respondent(s) Crime No.286 of 2026 PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail concerned in Crime No.286 of 2026 pending on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner(s) : Mr.S.Senthilvel For Respondent(s) : Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)