R.Lokesh Raj @ Manimaran v. State Rep.By, Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 12.03.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN R.Lokesh Raj @ Manimaran ... Petitioner Vs.

State Represented by Inspector of Police N-4, Fishing Harbour Police Station Chennai (Crime No.21 of 2025) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.21 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner : Mr.C.Raja For Respondent : Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam Learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

O R D E R

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner/A7, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 16.01.2025, seeking bail in Crime No.21 of 2025 registered for the offence under Section 191(2), 191(3), 103, 351(3) of BNS.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused way laid one Vijayakumar and Nithya Roban and attacked them with 1/5

deadly weapons, as a result of which, Vijayakumar died on the spot. 3.Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He also submitted that the petitioner is in custody from 16.01.2025 and he is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner. 4.Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police, while opposing for grant of bail to the petitioner, reiterated the prosecution case. The learned Government Advocate further submitted that charge sheet has been filed in this matter.

5.Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for the respondent Police and perused the materials available on record.

6.Considering the nature of allegations, period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, the fact that charge sheet has been filed and since further custody is not required for the purpose of interrogation, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned XVI 2/5

Metropolitan Magistrate, Goerge Town, Chennai, and on further conditions 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 stay at Vellore and report before the Inspector of Police, Vellore Town Police Station, Vellore everyday at 10.30 a.m., until further orders;

[c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

[d] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness 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];

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

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SUNDER MOHAN, J.

sai To 1.The XVI Metropolitan Magsitrate, Goerge Town, Chennai 2.The Inspector of Police N-4, Fishing Harbour Police Station Chennai 3.The Inspector of Police Vellore Town Police Station Vellore 4.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Puzhal II, Chennai.

5.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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