P.Dhanasekar v. The State By Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 17-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN P.Dhanasekar S/o.Palanisami, No.2/100, Milagaikaranoor, Sikkampatti, VTC, Tharamangalam PO, Salem District 636 502.

...Petitioner/Sole

Accused Vs The State by Inspector of Police, Jalakandapuram Police Station, Salem District.

Crime No.357 of 2025.

...Respondent/

Complainant Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of his arrest by the respondent police in Crime No.357 of 2025 pending investigation on the file of the Inspector of Police, Jalakandapuram Police Station, Salem. For Petitioner:

M/S.Sarvanan A For Respondent:

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

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offences under Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Section 303(2) and 62 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023 in Crime No.357 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner attempted to transport gravel soil illegally in his vehicle. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was innocent and he has not committed any such offence as alleged by the defacto complainant, and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that he is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court and he is ready to co-operate for investigation. Hence, he 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, upon instructions, submitted that no previous cases have been registered against the petitioner. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the respondent.

6. From the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) the petitioner does not have any previous cases. Though, this Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as serious offence, taking into consideration of the fact that he has no previous case, and upon the fond hope that he would mend himself in future and would not come under the adverse notice of the respondent, this Court is inclined to enlarge him on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on anticipatory 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 ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate - II, Mettur, 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) 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 sign before the respondent police twice a day at 10.30 a.m., and 5.30 p.m., for a period of four weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation;

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

17-03-2026 dk

To 1.The Judicial Magistrate - II, Mettur,

2. The Inspector of Police, Jalakandapuram Police Station, Salem District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

dk CRL OP No. 6916 of 2026 17-03-2026