Soori @ Sentamilselvan v. The State of Tamilnadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 04/02/2026 PRESENT The HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Soori @ Sentamilselvan ... Petitioner/Accused

Vs The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by the Inspector of Police, Nathampatti Police Station, Virudhunagar District. Crime No.42/2022. ... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : Mr.M.Pandian

For Respondent : Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.483 of BNSS PRAYER :- To enlarge the petitioner on Bail in connection with the case in C.C.No.262 of 2024 in Crime No.42 of 2022 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Watrap, Virudhunagar District. ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 09.01.2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 294(b), 324, 506(ii) and Section 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, (Corresponding provision in 296(b), 117(2) and 351(3) of BNS, 2023) in C.C.No.262 of 2024 in Crime No.42 of 2022 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Watrap, Virudhunagar District.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the case has been charge-sheeted and taken on file in C.C.No. 262 of 2024, pending on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Watrap, Virudhunagar District. The case is pending trial, and the matter was posted for evidence on

10.02.2026. Due to the non-appearance of the petitioner, the learned Judicial Magistrate, Watrap, Virudhunagar District, issued a non-bailable warrant against the petitioner on 18.12.2025. Upon execution of the warrant, the respondent police arrested the petitioner on 09.01.2026.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is a coolie worker and that he did not receive any communication from his advocate regarding his appearance before the Court. He further submitted that the petitioner is in judicial custody from

09.01.2026. Hence, he seeks bail to the petitioner.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl. side) submitted that a non-bailable warrant was issued against the petitioner and that the petitioner was arrested on 09.01.2026. He further submitted that three previous cases are pending against the petitioner. Therefore, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

¶5Taking into consideration of the fact that the petitioner has jumped bail and also considering the period of incarceration suffered by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions:

¶6Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on executing 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 learned Judicial Magistrate, Watrap, Virudhunagar District, 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 shall report before the concerned Trial Court daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders. [c] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. [d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial. [e] 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 is 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]. [f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 BNS. (S S Y J)

04.02.2026 jbr TO

¶1The Judicial Magistrate, Watrap, Virudhunagar District.

¶2The Superintendent, District Prison, Virudhunagar.

¶3The Inspector of Police, Nathampatti Police Station, Virudhunagar District.

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. S.SRIMATHY,J jbr ORDER IN CRL OP(MD) No.2168 of 2026 Date : 04/02/2026