S Megala v. Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 29.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Crl.O.P.No.672 of 2026 S.Megala ... Petitioner Vs.

Inspector of Police, DCB, Namakkal, Namakkal District.

... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, to enlarge the petitioner on bail, in the event of her arrest by the respondent police in Cr.No.11 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Shyam Sunder For Respondent : Ms.J.R.Archana Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 4, 5(a) of Prize Chit & Money Cir.Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978 in Cr.No.11 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

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2. The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner by joining hands with A1 and A2, involved in running an unregistered chit fund and collected a sum of Rs.35.37lakhs from six persons and failed to return back the money. Hence, the case has been lodged for taking action against the petitioner.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is ranked as A3 in this case; she is the daughter of A1 and A2 ; she got married and settled in her matrimonial abode; she has been falsely implicated in this case for recovering the money and she is ready to cooperate for the investigation. Hence, he prayed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), appearing for the respondent police, reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that A1 and A2 were already arrested and released on bail. He further submitted that the petitioner herein ranked as A3 and so far no amount was recovered. Hence, he vehemently opposed the grant of anticipatory bail. 2/6

5. I have also gone through the records and other connected materials, which revealed that though it is stated that no amount was recovered in this case , already A1 and A2 were arrested and enlarged on bail after a long period.

6. Considering the nature of allegations and facts discussed above, majority of the allegations are only against A1 and A2, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy made, before the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Namakkal on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction learned Magistrate concerned, and on further condition that:

(a) If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

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(b) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the application for surety ship (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify proofs to ensure their identity; (c) 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 interrogation;

(d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; (e)If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

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To

1. The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Namakkal

2. The Inspector of Police, DCB, Namakkal, Namakkal District.

3.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras, Chennai 600 104.

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K.RAJASEKAR , J.

Vv Crl.O.P.No.672 of 2026 29.01.2026 6/6