S. Saravanan v. State of Tamilnadu Rep by Inspector of Police, Parthibanoor

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 22.07.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR S.Saravanan, S/o.Sangaiah ... Petitioner / 3rd Accused

Versus The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep by the Inspector of Police, Parthibanoor Police Station, Ramanathapuram District. (Crime No.145 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 anticipatory bail in the event of arrest in the hands of the respondent police in Crime No.145 of 2026 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Gokul, Advocate

For Respondent : Mr.T.Lenin Kumar, Counsel for State of TN (Criminal Side) ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner, who apprehends arrest in connection with Crime No.145 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 111 and 318(4) of BNS, 2023, read with Section 4-A of Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 read with Section 24(1) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, seeks the relief of anticipatory bail.

¶2The allegation against the petitioner is that he permitted the co-accused to conduct gambling using playing cards in the premises owned by him. Based on the said information, a search was conducted. The persons found involved in the gambling were arrested, and cash was recovered. Hence, the present case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is the owner of the premises and had not permitted the other accused to indulge in such illegal activities. It was further submitted that the occurrence had taken place without the knowledge of the petitioner. The learned counsel 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 Counsel for the State (Criminal Side) submitted that the petitioner has been arrayed as A1 in this case. He further submitted that, on prior information, the police inspected the premises, seized cash and other articles, and registered the case. The investigation is still pending. He also submitted that the petitioner is involved in one previous case under the IPC offence. Hence, he opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

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

¶6Considering the nature of the allegations, the facts and circumstances of the case, though the petitioner is involved in one previous case, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to certain 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, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram 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 three 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 mkn To

1.The Judicial Magistrate Court, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Parthibanoor Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. CRLoOP(MD)No.14993oofo2026 oK.oRAJASEKARoo,oJo. oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooomkn ORDER oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooIN oooooooooooooooooooooooooCRLoOP(MD)oNo.14993oofo2026 Dateoo:o22.07.2026