Prabu v. State By, Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 01-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Prabu S/o.Gopal, No.2/5, Bajanai Koil Street, Pudupadi Village and Post, Arcot Taluk, Ranipet District.

..Petitioner(s) Vs State By, Inspector of Police, Arcot Taluk Police Station, Ranipet Distict.

Crime No. 60 of 2026 ..Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest by the respondent police in Crime No.60/2026 on the file of the respondent police and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.D.Thirumoorthy For Respondent(s):

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

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offence punishable under Section 303(2) and 326(a) of BNS, 2023 and 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 in

Crime No.60 of 2026, on the file of the respondent Police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner was involved in illegal theft of one unit of river sand in his vehicle. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court and sought anticipatory bail for 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 case has 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) it is seen that the petitioner has no bad antecedents. 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 themselves 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 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, Arcot, 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 deposit a sum of Rs.60,000/- (Rupees Sixty Thousand only) as a non-refundable amount, with the Tamilnadu State Legal Services Authority, High

Court of Madras and produce the receipt at the time of executing the bond;

(d) The petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 am and 5.30 pm. for a period of six weeks and thereafter as and when required;

(e) 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];

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

01-04-2026 DRL To 1.The Judicial Magistrate, Arcot.

2.The Inspector of Police, Arcot Taluk Police Station, Ranipet Distict.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

DRL 01-04-2026