Manikandan v. State of Tamilnadu Rep by Inspector of Police, Chokkampatti

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 17.02.2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY CRL OP(MD)No.3305 of 2026 Manikandan ... Petitioner/ Accused

Vs The State of Tamil Nadu Represented by The Inspector of Police, Chokkampatti Police Station, Tenkasi District. (Crime No.71 of 2023)

... Respondent

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sankarapandian

For Respondent : Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate (Crl.Sid)

PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS Act 2023. PRAYER :-For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.71 of 2023 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 354 and 500 IPC (Corresponding Sections 74 and 356(2) of BNS) read with Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and Section 65 of the Information Technology Act, in Crime No.71 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

¶2This is the second anticipatory bail application before this Court. The prosecution's case is that the petitioner had morphed a photograph of the defacto complainant and uploaded the same on social media during the time when her marriage proposal with another person . 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 willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail for the petitioner.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that the investigation has been completed and the charge sheet has also been filed. 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 investigation has been completed and the charge sheet has also been filed, 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, Tenkasi, Tenkasi 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 shall report before the trial Court as and when required. [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 of BNS. (S S Y J)

17.02.2026 msrm To

1.The Judicial Magistrate Court, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Chokkampatti Police Station, Tenkasi District.

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

S.SRIMATHY,J msrm

ORDER IN

17.02.2026