Uma v. The State Rep.By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 27.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Uma ... Petitioner Vs.

The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. By the Inspector of Police, Veeranam Police Station, Salem City.

(Crime No.75 of 2026) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner's anticipatory bail in the event of her arrest in Crime No.75 of 2026 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.Hariram Kumar For Respondent : Mr.P.Dhileepan, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

O R D E R

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 107 and 51 of BNS, 2023, 75 of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, in Crime No.75 of 2026, on the file of the respondent Police, seeks anticipatory bail.

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2. The case of the prosecution is that on 30.03.2026, the victim, a school student, was found in possession of a love letter allegedly given by a fellow student. Upon being informed, the hostel warden took the letter, read it aloud, reprimanded the victim and allegedly assaulted her, causing humiliation. Unable to bear the same, the victim is stated to have jumped from the third floor of the hostel building. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is the hostel warden and that she had only reprimanded the victim girl in the course of maintaining discipline. He further submitted that the victim, who was admitted to the hospital on 30.03.2026, has since been discharged. Hence, he prayed for grant of anticipatory bail.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police opposed the bail application, submitting that the petitioner had assaulted the minor victim, which led to the unfortunate incident.

5. Taking into consideration of the totality of the circumstances, the nature of the allegations, the fact that the occurrence took place on 30.03.2026, that the victim has been discharged from the hospital, and that 2/6

the petitioner is a woman and a hostel warden, this Court is of the firm view that, at this stage, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail, subject to the following conditions:

6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on her appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.IV, Salem, 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;

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(c) The petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; (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.

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To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.IV, Salem.

2.The Inspector of Police, Veeranam Police Station, Salem City.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

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