Selvaganapathi v. The State Rep By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 07-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Selvaganapathi S/ o Kumar, No.37, Thoroupathiyamman Koil Street, Vakkur Post, Siruvallikuppam, Villupuram District ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State rep by the Inspector of Police Vikravandi Police Station, Villupuram District, Crime No.73/2026.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, to grant Anticipatory Bail to the petitioner and order to enlarge him on bail in the event of arrest in Crime No 73 of 2026 by the Respondent Police, and pass such other orders deems fit and proper for the circumstances of the case and thus render justice.

For Petitioner(s):

M/s. K. Muruganandham For Respondent(s):

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

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023 r/w. 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 in Crime

No.73 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 the illegal transportation of 3 units river of sand without any valid permit or licence, using a tipper lorry. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was innocent and that 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. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record. 6.From the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) it is seen that the petitioner had 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 petitioner had no previous cases, 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 bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the Learned District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate, Vikravandi, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.

(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 is directed to make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.1,30,000/- [Rupees One Lakh Thirty Thousand Only] directly to the credit of "Tamilnadu State Legal

Services Authority, High Court Campus, Chennai", without prejudice to the right of the defence before the Trial Court and the receipt shall be produced 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 two months; 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.

07-04-2026 MPA

To

1. The District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate, Vikravandi.

2. The Inspector of Police Vikravandi Police Station, Villupuram District, Crime No.73/2026.

3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

MPA 07-04-2026