Balakrishanan v. State Rep.By Station House Officer,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 22.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR 1.Balakrishanan 2.Silambarasan ... Petitioners Vs.

State rep. by Station House Officer, Vikravandi Police Station, Vikravandi, Villupuram District.

... Respondent (Crime No.12 of 2026) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioners on bail in the event of arrest pending investigation in Crime No.12 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioners : Mr.K.Vijayaragavan For Respondent : Ms.J.R.Archana, Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offence under Section 303(2) of BNS and Sec.21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulations) Act, 1957 in Crime No.12 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. The allegation against the petitioners is that the petitioners illegally 1/4

quarrying 3 units of gravel sand from the Village lake in a Tipper Lorry. Hence, a case has been registered.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent and they have not committed any such offence as alleged by the prosecution and they have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that they are ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court and ready to co-operate with the investigation. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent reiterated the prosecution case and, upon instructions, submitted that the investigation in this case is still pending and no previous bad antecedents have been registered against them. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case; taking note of the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side); and though it is reported that no previous bad antecedents have been registered against the petitioners, the petitioners have illegally quarried the lake sand 2/4

from the Village and this Court is not inclined to entertain the same. Since the petitioners caused damage to the ecology and water body, this Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

6. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed. 22.01.2026 ssi To 1.The Station House Officer, Vikravandi Police Station, Vikravandi, Villupuram District.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

K.RAJASEKAR , J.

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