Lakshmikandan v. The State Rep By The Inspector Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 18-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Lakshmikandan S/o Venkatraman ..Petitioner(s) Vs The Inspector of Police, Mangalam Police station, Puducherry District Cr.No.182 of 2025.
..Respondent(s) Prayer: This petition is filed under Section 482 of BNSS To enlarge the petitioners on bail in the event of his arrest by the respondent police in Cr.No.182 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police For Petitioner :Mr. Avinash Wadhwani For Respondent(s):
Mr.M.V. Ramachandra Murthy, Public Prosecutor Govt of Puducherry
ORDER
The petitioner, who apprehend arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 316(4) and 336 of BNS 2023 in Crime No.182 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.
2. The case of the prosecution is that this petitioner while working as a General Manager of M/s Auromech Industries in the year 2020 was taking care of the funds of the company and during the year 2024 he resigned from the company due to health reasons. Thereafter, when the defacto complainant was handling the accounts of the firm he found that the petitioner has swindled the company funds to the tune of Rs.79.54 crores. Hence, the present case.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is not a General Manager of the said company and he is only a worker of the company. Apart from that he has not involved in falsification of records and he has not misappropriated company's funds. Hence, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not necessary in this case. Therefore, prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.
4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police, reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that tit is a case of cheating of company funds to the tune of Rs.79.54 cores. He further
submitted that investigation in this case is completed and final report was also filed on 23.01.2026. Hence, he opposed for grant of anticipatory bail;.
5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.
6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made by both counsel; investigation was completed and final report is also filed and also considering the fact majority of allegations only against the other accused, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not necessary in this case, 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 Judicial Magistrate-IV, Puducherry 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;
(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 concerned trial Court everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of three weeks and thereafter as an when required for interrogation by the respondent police.
(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.
18-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order smn
To.
1. The Judicial Magistrate-IV, Puducherry
2. The Inspector of Police, Mangalam Police station, Puducherry District
3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras Chennai 600 104.
K.RAJASEKAR, J.
SMN 18-02-2026