Velmurugan v. The State of Tamilnadu Rep By, the Inspector of Police,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 24.07.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR CRL OP(MD)No.15265 of 2026 Velmurugan ... Petitioner / Accused No.1

Versus The State of Tamil Nadu rep by The Inspector of Police, Manapparai Police Station, Trichy District. (Crime No.79 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.79 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, or on his appearance. For Petitioner : Mr.P.Ganapathi Subramanian

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.79 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 296(b), 118(1), 132, 341 and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, seeks the relief of anticipatory bail.

¶2The prosecution case is that, while proceeding on Maga Sivaratri day, the petitioner, along with others, attempted to hunt wild animals. When the said act was questioned by the Forest Officials, the petitioner allegedly attacked one of the officials with a stick. Consequently, a case was registered against the petitioner. It is further alleged that the petitioner, along with others, participated in a road roko protest and indulged in acts of violence, in connection with which another criminal case has also been registered.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated and that he was merely present at the place of occurrence. It is further submitted that the petitioner has no previous criminal antecedents. 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 petitioner, along with the other accused, threatened the Forest Officials while they were discharging their official duties. He further submitted that, though there are no previous criminal antecedents against the petitioner, considering the nature of the allegations, there is every likelihood of the petitioner indulging in similar offences if he is granted the relief of anticipatory bail. Hence, he prayed for dismissal of the petition.

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

¶6Considering the nature of the allegations, this Court finds that the petitioner is alleged not only to have been a member of an unlawful assembly and to have intimidated the Forest Officials, but also to have assaulted one of the officials with a stick who were discharging official duties. In view of the seriousness of the allegations, this Court is not inclined to grant the relief of anticipatory bail. Accordingly, the Criminal Original Petition is dismissed.

24.07.2026 pal To

1.The Inspector of Police, Manapparai Police Station, Trichy District.

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