C.Soundararajan v. The State By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18-02-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR C.Soundararajan ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State by, The Inspector of Police, EDF-III, Central Crime Branch, Avadi Commissionerate, Avadi City, Chennai - 600123.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of his arrest, pending investigation in Crime No.2 of 2026 on the file of Inspector of Police, Central Crime Branch, EDF-III, Avadi, Chennai - 600123 and thus render justice.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.Jeyakumar Arul For Respondent(s):

Ms.J.R.Archana Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest by the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4) of BNS, 2023, in Crime No.509 of 2025 seeks anticipatory bail.

2.The allegation against the petitioner, who is arrayed as A9, and that A1 (the CEO of BIRAC-BioNEST / VIF @ TANUVAS) was in charge of handling the accounts and, in collusion with A2, forged the signatures of the Directors and misappropriated a sum of Rs. 2.85 Crores. It is further alleged that the petitioner and the other accused colluded with A1 and caused a significant financial loss to the University. Hence, the case has been registered.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner did not collect any money from A1 as part of the misappropriated funds. It was further submitted that only a sum of Rs. 2.75 lakhs was paid from A1's account, and that too solely for the purpose of meeting legitimate University expenses, which does not constitute misappropriation. Moreover, the petitioner is currently under suspension and is willing to cooperate fully with the investigation. In view of these submissions, the counsel prayed for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for the respondent reiterated the prosecution's case and submitted that A1 and A2 used to prepare bills for payment and while doing so, forged the signatures of ten Directors. It is alleged that they subsequently encashed the bills and transferred the proceeds into their personal accounts, thereby misappropriated the funds. He further submitted that the investigation is currently pending and he has handed over the statement recorded from A1 in this regard before this Court. It was also noted that A1 alone is arrested and the other accused are yet to be apprehended. 5.I have perused the statement recorded from A1, wherein it is categorically stated that he, along with A2, forged the signatures of ten Directors and misappropriated a huge amount.

A1 has further narrated the manner in which the funds were handled. Notably, the petitioner is currently under suspension, and no direct involvement has been attributed to him in the said statement. While the misappropriated funds are yet to be recovered, the petitioner maintains that he received only Rs. 2.88 lakhs, which was utilized solely for genuine University expenses.

6.Considering the above facts and circumstances of the case, and in view of the petitioners' readiness to deposit a sum of Rs.2.88/- lakhs to the credit of

Crime No.2 of 2026, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to certain conditions.

7.Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.2.88/- lakhs to the credit of Crime Number 2 of 2026. On such deposit and on receipt of proof of payment, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, JM-1, Poonamallee, Chennai, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.

20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that: (a) the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity; (b) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 06.30 p.

(c) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

(d) the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

(e) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/ Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji Vs. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; and;

(f) if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

18-02-2026 GBI To 1.The State by, The Inspector of Police, EDF-III, Central Crime Branch, Avadi Commissionerate, Avadi City, Chennai - 600123.

2.The Judicial Magistrate, JM-1, Poonamallee, Chennai. 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

K.RAJASEKAR, J.

GBI 18-02-2026