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

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 17/02/2026 PRESENT The HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY

¶1Manikandan

¶2Thangamani ... Petitioners/Accused Vs State of Tamilnadu Rep by, The Inspector of Police, Gandarvakottai Police Station, Pudukottai District. (Crime No.286/2025). ... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : Dhilipan Pandian R L, Advocate. For Respondent : Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar, Additional Public Prosecutor PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.483 of BNSS PRAYER :- C-38 B. For Bail in Crime No.286/2025 on the file of the respondent police. ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners, who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 06.01.2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 303(2) of BNS, in Crime No. 286 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seek bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners illegally opened and damaged AB switch of the transformer and taken copper wires. Hence, the complaint.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent person and they have not committed any offences as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioners are in judicial custody from 06.01.2026. Hence, he seeks bail to the petitioner.

¶4The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the petitioners have one previous case apart from the cases listed today and the stolen properties were recovered. However, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioners.

¶5Taking into consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case and also considering the period of incarceration suffered by the petitioners, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioners, subject to the following conditions:

¶6Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail on executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) each with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Gandarvakottai, Pudukkotttai District, and on further conditions that :- [a] the petitioners 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 petitioners shall report before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Thanjavur, daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; [c] the petitioners shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. [d] the petitioners 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.

17.02.2026 PJL TO

¶1District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Gandarvakottai, Pudukkotttai District.

¶2Judicial Magistrate No.I, Thanjavur,

¶3The Superintendent, District Jail, Pudukkottai.

¶4The Inspector of Police, Gandarvakottai Police Station, Pudukottai District.

¶5The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. S.SRIMATHY,J PJL ORDER IN CRL OP(MD) No.3243 of 2026 Date : 17/02/2026