H.Naveenkumar v. The State Rep. By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN H.Naveenkumar S/o. Harikrishnan, No.6/472, South Street, Sellampattu, Villupuram District, Pin- 606 207.

..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep. by, The Inspector of Police, K-4, Anna Nagar Police Station, Chennai, (Crime No.1246 of 2025) ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the Petitioner/Accused No.5 bail in event of his arrest in Crime No.1246 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police and pass such other orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render Justice.

For Intervener:

Mr.M.Vimal Bobby Crimson For Petitioner(s):

S Anbazhagan For Respondent(s):

Mr.P.Dhileepan Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Section 306 of BNS in Crime

No.1246 of 2025, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner/A5 is working under the defacto complainant's company and that the other accused are also working in the same company in different capacities. It is alleged that the petitioner, along with the other accused, switched off the CCTV camera and that A1 taken away a sum of Rs.27 lakhs, laptops, cell phones, SIM cards, keys and documents. Hence the complain has been lodged.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case and has no connection with the alleged offence, except that he was employed in the de facto complainant's company. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Therefore, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for the respondent police strongly opposed the bail application, contending that the petitioner, along with the other accused, had misappropriated a sum of Rs.29,00,000/-, six mobile phones, and three laptops. He further submitted that A1 and A3 have already been enlarged on bail, and A2 has been granted anticipatory bail and has voluntarily deposited a sum of Rs.10,00,000/-. Since

there is a clear overt act attributed to the petitioner, the learned Government Advocate strongly opposed the grant of anticipatory bail.

5. The learned counsel for the intervener also opposed the application and reiterated the submissions made by the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side).

6. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made on either side.

7. On perusal of the records, it is seen that the FIR was registered on 31.12.2025. Thereafter, A1 and A3 were arrested and enlarged on bail, and A2 was granted anticipatory bail by this Court. At this stage, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has filed an affidavit by voluntarily come forward to deposit a sum of Rs.3,00,000/- before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, to demonstrate his bona fides and the relevant portion of the affidavit is scanned below:-

8. Though the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) submitted that the investigation is still pending. However, considering the nature of the allegations against the petitioner and the fact that the FIR was registered on 31.12.2025, and that the investigation is almost completed, this Court is of the view that custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required at this stage. Further, taking into consideration of the fact that A1 and A3 have been granted bail and A2 has been granted anticipatory bail and that the petitioner is ready and willing to voluntarily deposit Rs.3 lakhs, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

9. Accordingly, the petitioner is granted anticipatory bail on condition permitting to deposit a sum of Rs.3,00,000/- as volunteered by him, to the credit of Crime No. 1246 of 2025. Upon such deposit and production of proof thereof, 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 is made ready, before the learned V Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai, 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 of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions:

(a) On such deposit being made, the learned V Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai shall redeposit the said amount in a Fixed Deposit Account, in any one of the Nationalized Banks, renewable thereafter periodically. The disbursal of this amount shall be decided at the culmination of the criminal case; (b) If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned learned 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;

(c) 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;

(d) The petitioner shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of one week and thereafter as and when required for interrogation;

(e) 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];

(f) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

17-03-2026 MPA To

1. The V Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai.

2. The Inspector of Police, K-4, Anna Nagar Police Station, Chennai, (Crime No.1246 of 2025)

3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

MPA 17-03-2026