Somasundaram v. State of Tamilnadu Rep by Inspector of Police, Valanadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 22.07.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR Somasundaram ... Petitioner / Accused Rank Not Known

Versus The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep by the Inspector of Police, Valanadu Police Station, Trichy District. (Crime No.186 of 2026) ... Respondent/Complainant PRAYER :-Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest in Crime No.186 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, or on his appearance. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Pitchai Muthu

For Respondent : Mr.J.Vishnu Government Advocate (Criminal Side) ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner, who apprehends arrest in connection with Crime No.186 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 4(1)(1A) and 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, seeks the relief of anticipatory bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that, on 11.07.2026, the respondent police found the accused in possession of 10 units of savudu sand, which had allegedly been quarried from his own patta land without obtaining the requisite permission. Hence, the respondent police registered the present case against the accused.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that a false case has been foisted against the petitioner. He further submitted that there are no previous cases against the petitioner. He also submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation and abide by any condition that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for the grant of anticipatory bail.

¶4Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the alleged properties have already been seized. He further submitted that there are no previous criminal antecedents against the petitioner. However, he contended that, if the petitioner is granted anticipatory bail, he may indulge in similar offences in future. Therefore, he opposed the grant of anticipatory bail.

¶5This Court has carefully considered the rival submissions and perused the materials available on record.

¶6Considering the nature of the allegations, the fact that the alleged properties have already been seized, the fact that the petitioner has no previous criminal antecedents, and also considering the fact that the sand is alleged to have been quarried from the petitioner's own land, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Manapparai, Trichy District, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate concerned 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 Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity;

(b) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of four weeks, and thereafter as and when required for the interrogation;

(c) the petitioner shall not tamper with 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 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

(f) if the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS, 2023.

22.07.2026 pal To

1.The Judicial Magistrate, Manapparai, Trichy District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Valanadu Police Station, Trichy District.

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