Bhavani v. The State Rep By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 27-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Bhavani ..Petitioner Vs The State Rep. by, The Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch Police Station, Tiruvallur District.

Crime No.10 of 2025 ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in connection with the case in Crime No.10 of 2025 pending investigation on the file of the Respondent police.

For Petitioner:

Mr.M.Guruprasad For Respondent:

Mr.S.Vinoth Kumar, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 25.10.2025 for the alleged offences under Sections 316(5), 318(3), 318(4), 323, 336(2), 336(3), 337, 338, 339, 340(2) r/w 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (Section 405, 415, 420, 424, 463, 446, 467, 474, 470 r/w 120A of IPC), in Crime No.10 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner, being a Junior Assistant attached to the Court, misused her official position and misappropriated a sum of Rs.2,67,85,000/- from the Fixed Deposit by forging the signature of the learned Sub Judge and creating demand drafts in the names of her friends and family members, thereby committing breach of trust and cheating. Hence, the case was registered.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. It is submitted that she has been in custody from 25.10.2025 and she has already undergone substantial period of incarceration. The learned counsel would further submit that the investigation has been completed and charge sheet has already been filed and the case is now taken on file in C.C.No.77 of 2026. It is also submitted that the entire case is based on documentary evidence and there is no possibility of tampering with evidence. The learned counsel would further submit that the petitioner is a woman, having no criminal antecedents and she is ready to abide by any conditions imposed by this Court. It is also submitted that some amount has already been recovered and the petitioner will cooperate with the trial.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent submitted that the petitioner, being a Court staff, has misused her

official position and committed serious financial fraud involving public money. It is further submitted that huge amount has been misappropriated and though partial recovery has been made substantial amount is yet to be recovered. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) would submit that the conduct of the petitioner is grave in nature. It is also submitted that if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, there is every possibility of influencing witnesses and jeopardizing the prosecution case.

5. I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side.

6. Considering the submission of the learned counsel on either side, this Court is of the view that the allegation against the petitioner is very serious in nature, as she being a Court staff has misused her position and misappropriated public money. Though the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that she has been in incarceration since 25.10.2025 and that the investigation has been completed, considering the seriousness of the allegation and the fact that the offence involves misappropriation of huge public funds, this Court cannot take a lenient view that too against Court staff where high degree of commitment is required. Further, as rightly contended by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, there is a possibility of jeopardising the prosecution case. Hence, this Court is of the view

that the petitioner does not deserve bail at this stage.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed. 27-03-2026 NSL To

1. The Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch Police Station, Tiruvallur District.

2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

NSL 27-03-2026