S.Vignesh v. The State Rep.By, The Station House Officer (Sho),

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 17.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN 1.S.Vignesh 2.K.Pushpathaman ... Petitioners Vs.

The State rep by The Station House Officer (SHO), K.V.Kuppam Police Station, Vellore District.

(Crime No.42 of 2026) ... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023, to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest in Crime No.42 of 2026 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioners : Mr.K.Sathish Kumar For Respondent : Mr.P.Dhileepan, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioners apprehend arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 296(b), 351(2) of BNS, 2023, in Crime No.42 of 2026 on the file of the 1/6

respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 19.02.2026, the accused persons, in furtherance of their common intention, abused the de facto complainant both verbally and physically and threatened him with dire consequences. It is further alleged that the co-accused followed the de facto complainant to his house and criminally intimidated him, and that the petitioner, through a mobile phone, also extended threats to the de facto complainant, including threat to life. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent and have not committed any such offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the co-accused/A3 has already been released on anticipatory bail in Crl.M.P.No.684 of 2026 dated 03.03.2026. Hence, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner and the de facto complainant belong to the same political party and that there was a dispute between them. It is alleged that, in order to aid the co-accused/A3, the petitioners had intimidated the de 2/6

facto complainant over phone. It is also seen that the occurrence took place on 18.02.2026 and the FIR was registered on 19.02.2026.

5. Considering the above facts and circumstances of the case and also the fact that the co-accused/A3 has already been released on anticipatory bail in Crl.M.P.No.684 of 2026 dated 03.03.2026, this Court is of the view that, at this stage, no custodial interrogation of the petitioners is necessary. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions.

6. Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on anticipatory bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate - Katpadi, Vellore District, on condition that the petitioners 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 learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions:

(a) If the petitioners 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 3/6

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 petitioners shall appear and sign before the learned Judicial Magistrate Katpadi, twice a day at 10.30 a.m., and 5.00 p.m. on all working days until further orders from the next day of execution of bond before the Magistrate Court;

(d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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 petitioners thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 17.03.2026 cda 4/6

To 1.The Judicial Magistrate - Katpadi, Vellore District. 2.The Station House Officer (SHO), K.V.Kuppam Police Station, Vellore District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

cda 17.03.2026 6/6