Chandran @ Ramachandran v. The State of Tamilnadu

J U D G M E N T The appellant is the second accused in Crime No.1080 of 2021, on the file of the second respondent police. The said case was registered as against this appellant and another, for the offence under Sections 294(b), 323, 324, 506(ii) IPC and Section 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(2) (va) of SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989, based on the complaint of the third respondent herein. The defacto complainant is running a workshop. The appellant along with the other accused have created a problem in the public and when the same was questioned by the defacto complainant, they have assaulted the defacto complainant and two others. After investigation, the final report has been filed before the Special Court for exclusive trial of cases under SC/ST(POA) Act, Pudukkottai and the same is pending in Spl.S.C.No.8 of 2022. The appellant has failed to appear before the trial Court and therefore, a non-bailable warrant of arrest was issued as against him. He was arrested on 12.01.2026 and since then he is in jail. The bail application moved by the appellant before the trial Court was dismissed on

23.01.2026. Hence, this appeal.

2.Heard the learned counsel on either side.

3.The appellant is in jail from 12.01.2026. The allegation as against the appellant is that he along with other accused has assaulted the defacto complainant and two others and caused simple injury. The learned counsel for the appellant undertakes that the appellant would appear before the trial Court regularly without fail and he also assures that he will not abscond and he is prepared to furnish adequate sureties for his availability during the trial.

4.Considering the period of incarceration, nature of offence and the reasons assigned in this petition, this Court is inclined to allow this Criminal Appeal and accordingly, this Criminal Appeal is allowed. The order passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Special Court for exclusive trial of cases under SC/ST (POA) Act, Pudukkottai in Crl.MP.No.11 of 2026, dated 23.01.2026 is hereby set aside. The appellant is ordered to be released on bail on the following conditions:-

i) The appellant shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.50,000/-(Rupees Fifty Thousand) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Special Sessions Judge, Special Court for exclusive trial of cases under SC/ST (POA) Act, Pudukkottai, out of which, one surety must be a respectable person from the Society.

ii) The appellant and the sureties shall submit a copy of their Aadhaar Card or any other identity card issued by the Government in proof of their residence address;

iii)The appellant shall report before respondent police, daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

iv) The appellant shall not misuse the liberty granted to him by indulging in any further offence and shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses. The appellant shall co-operate for the investigation.

v) On violation of any of the above conditions by the appellant, the respondent police shall move an application for cancellation of the bail.

04.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No. Index : Yes / No. Internet : Yes / No. vrn

To

1.The Special Court for trial of SC/ST (POA) Act Cases, Pudukkottai.

2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Aranthangi Division, Pudukottai District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Aranthangi Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

4.The Superintendent, District Prison, Pudukkottai.

B.PUGALENDHI, J., vrn

04.03.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :04.03.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI Chandran @ Ramachandran ... Appellant Vs 1.The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Aranthangi Division, Pudukottai District. 2.State of Tamilnadu Rep by the Inspector of Police, Aranthangi Police Station, Pudukkottai District. Crime No.1080 of 2021. 3.Prem Kumar ... Respondents PRAYER: Appeal filed under Section 14-A(2) of Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015, to set aside the order in Crl.MP.No.11 of 2026, on the file of the learned Sessions Judge, Special Court for exclusive trial of cases under SC/ST (POA) Act, Pudukkottai and the same was dismissed on 23.01.2026 and enlarge the petitioner on bail. For Appellant : Mr.S.Sathyachidambaram For R1 & R2 : Mr.S.Prakash, Government Advocate R3 : Mr.Anbarasu