Velmurugan v. State of Tamilnadu Rep by Inspector of Police, Rajapalayam North

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 21.01.2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY CRL OP(MD)No.993 of 2026 Velmurugan ... Petitioner/ Accused

Vs The State of Tamil Nadu Represented by The Inspector of Police, Rajapalayam North Police Station, Virudhunagar District. (Crime No.667 of 2025) ... Respondent/Complainant

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Pandian

For Respondent : Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar Additional Public Prosecutor

PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS Act 2023. PRAYER :-For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.667 of 2025 on the file of the Respondent Police. ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner/Accused, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 194 of BNSS, 2023 @ under Sections 105(2) of BNS 2023, in Crime No.667 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

¶2The case of the prosecutin is that on 29.12.2025, the deceased, Ganeshkumar, while carrying out earthing work on an electric pole situated at a vacant site in Survey No.267/1, Rajapalayam, was electrocuted at about 4.00 p.m. while descending from the pole. Due to the severe electric shock, his left arm was completely severed, resulting in his instantaneous death at the spot. It is further alleged that the occurrence was a direct consequence of the negligence of the electricity board officials and the supervisory staff. Hence, the complaint.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is only an employee working under a subcontractor and has no role whatsoever in the alleged occurrence. He further submitted that the petitioner is willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail for the petitioner.

¶4The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that there are no previous cases pending against the petitioner and the investigation is still pending. However, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

¶5Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also the fact that the petitioner is ready and willing to deposit some amount to the credit of crime number, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

6.Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Judicial Magistrate Court, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy was made ready and on further conditions that: [a]the petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhaar card or bank pass book to ensure their identity; (b ) the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.25,000/-(Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) to the credit of Crime No.667 of 2025 before the Judicial Magistrate Court, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District. On such deposit, the Judicial Magistrate Court, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District, shall accept the sureties furnished by the petitioner. After receipt of entire amount, the Judicial Magistrate Court, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District, shall deposit the said amount in an interest bearing Fixed Deposit in any nationalized Bank initially for a period of one year and renew them periodically until the final order/Judgment is passed in the case in Crime No.667 of 2025. The learned Judicial Magistrate or Trial Court shall pass orders regarding entitlement of the said amount in its final order/Judgment.

(c) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation.

(d) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

(e) the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

(f) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/ Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji Vs. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560] and;

(g) if the accused/petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS, 2023. (S S Y J)

21.01.2026 msrm To

1.The Judicial Magistrate Court, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Rajapalayam North Police Station, Virudhunagar District.

¶3The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

S.SRIMATHY,J msrm

ORDER IN CRL OP(MD). No.993 of 2026

21.01.2026