M.Vijaya v. The State Rep By, The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 12.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Crl.O.P.No.626 of 2026 M.Vijaya ... Petitioner Vs.

The Inspector of Police, Economic Offence Wing (EOW), Tiruvannamalai.

... Respondent (Crime No.5 of 2025) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita of BNSS Act, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail, pending investigation in Crime No.5 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, under Section 420, 120-B, 34 of IPC r/w Section 5 of TNPID Act.

For Petitioner : Mr.Himavanth For Respondent : Mr.A.Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

O R D E R

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to Judicial custody from on 28.11.2025 for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 120-B, 34 of IPC r/w Section 5 of TNPID Act in Crime No.5 of 2025, seeks bail.

2. The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner, along with the other accused, who are family members, was involved in running a Deevali Chit and collected a total sum of Rs.3.29 crores from various persons, namely 31 victims. Subsequently, the accused persons failed to return the said amount to the victims and thereby cheated them. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is arrayed only as A2 in this case and the majority of the allegations are mainly against A1. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for the respondent submitted that all the accused are family members and they have jointly conducted the chit business and cheated the victims. There are several witness statement stating that all the accused actively participated in collecting the money. He further submitted that A3 has been released on bail by this Court in Crl.O.P.No.3238 of 2025 dated 04.12.2025. However, he strongly opposed the grant of bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, it appears that the petitioner, along with other family members, actively participated in collecting money from the victims and the total amount involved in this case is Rs.3.29 crores. Though the co-accused A3 has been granted bail, the same was granted on the ground that he is the son of A1 and A2 and was a student at the time of occurrence and was not directly involved in the cheating transactions. The said reason is not applicable to the case of the present petitioner. Further, the investigation is still pending and recovery is yet to be effected. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 12.01.2026 kmm

K.RAJASEKAR , J.

kmm To

1. The Inspector of Police, Economic Offence Wing (EOW), Tiruvannamalai.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

Crl.O.P.No.626 of 2026 12.01.2026