S.Mala v. State Rep By, Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN S.Mala W/o.Shankar, No.5, Veera Ragavalu Nagar, 4th Cross Street, Vinayagapuram, Kadhirvedu, Puzhal, Chennai-600066.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. State rep by, Inspector of Police Ambattur Police Station, Crime No.706 of 2025 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on Bail in the event of arrest in the Crime.No.706 of 2025 on the file of respondent police and pass such further other order or orders, as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.C.Srinivasan For Respondent(s):

MR.P.DHILEEPAN, GOVT.ADVOCATE (CRL SIDE)

ORDER

The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Section 420 of IPC, in Crime No.706 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The allegation against the petitioner is that he collected a sum of Rs.14,54,000/- from seven persons on the pretext of running a chit fund and failed to return the same. Hence, the present complaint has been lodged against him under Section 420 IPC.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent, has been falsely implicated, and has not committed any offence as alleged. He further submitted that the petitioner has settled the claims of some persons. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the alleged settlement with some persons could not be confirmed. Hence, he opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and also perused the records available.

6. Taking into consideration the totality of the circumstances and the fact that the occurrence took place in the year 2024 and FIR was came to be registered on 22.08.2025, at this length of time, no custodial interrogation of the

petitioner is required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, 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 Judicial Magistrate Court, Ambattur, 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 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;

(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 report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m and 5.30 p.m for a period of one month 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.

16-04-2026 DRL To 1.The Judicial Magistrate Court, Ambattur.

2.The Inspector of Police Ambattur Police Station, Crime No.706 of 2025 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

DRL 16-04-2026