G.Surendhar v. The State Rep By Its, The Deputy Superintendent Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 13-05-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P. DHANABAL G.Surendhar ..Appellant(s) Vs
1. The State Rep by its, The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent Police Office, Ranipet District.
2. The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Wing, Ranipet District.
3. Anbarasi ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Criminal Appeal under Section 14-A(2) of the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes (POA) Amendment Act 2015 seeking to set-aside the order dated 17.04.2026 in Crl.M.P.No.551/2026 passed by the Learned Principal District and Sessions Division of Ranipet District and grant bail to the appellant and pass such further or other orders as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and thus render justice.
For Appellant(s):
M/s.D.Padmanabhan For Respondent(s):
Mr.A.Damodaran, Addl. Public Prosecutor for RR-1 & R-2
JUDGMENT
The present Criminal Appeal has been filed to set-aside the order dated 17.04.2026 in Crl.M.P.No.551/2026 passed by the learned Principal District and Sessions Division of Ranipet District and enlarge the appellant on bail.
2. The appellant, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 04.03.2026, for the offences punishable under Sections 66E, 67 & 67A of the Information Technology Act 2008 and Section 4 of the Tamil nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women (Amendment) Act, 2002 subsequently altered into Sections 66E, 67, 67A of the Information Technology Act 2008 and Section 4 of the Tamil nadu Prohibition of Harassment of women (Amendment) Act 2002 & Section 69 of BNS and Section 3(1)(w)(i) r/w 3(2)(va) of SC/ST (POA) Act on the file of the respondent police, seeks appeal bail. 3.The case of the prosecution in brief:
The de-facto complainant lodged a complaint on 03.03.2026 stating that some unknown persons had morphed the photos and videos of the appellant and the same had been uploaded in pornograhic websites without the knowledge of the appellant. Upon investigation, it was found that the images and videos had originally been shared by the victim with the appellant. Based on the said occurrence, a complaint was lodged. Consequently, the appellant was arrested
and remanded to judicial custody on 04.03.2026. Ever since, he is in custody. Seeking bail, he moved the learned Sessions Division of Ranipet District and the same was dismissed. Aggrieved by the same, the present appeal has been preferred.
4. Today, when this appeal is taken up for hearing, there is no representation on the side of the third respondent/de-facto complainant.
5. On the other hand, the learned counsel appearing for the appellant submitted that the appellant is in judicial custody for more than 50 days. He further submitted that the investigation has been completed and in view of the same, no purpose would be served in continuing the appellant in judicial custody and therefore, he prayed for enlarging the appellant on bail.
6. At the time of arguments, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for respondents 1 & 2 submitted that the appellant's mobile phone has been recovered and he vehemently opposed for grant of bail on the ground that, the appellant, if released on bail, there is every likelihood of him tampering the evidence. But however, considering the period of incarceration undergone by the appellant, investigation has been completed and also the nature of alleged offences, this Court is inclined to allow this appeal and grant bail to the appellant with certain conditions.
7.Accordingly, the Criminal Appeal is allowed and the order, dated 17.04.2026 made in Crl.M.P.No.551 of 2022 on the file of the learned Principal District and Sessions Division of Ranipet District is set aside. The appellant is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Principal District and Sessions Division of Ranipet District, and on further condition that:
(i) the appellant shall appear before the trial Court daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders;
(ii) the appellant and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the trial Court may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book and mobile numbers to ensure their identity; (iii) the appellant shall appear before the trial Court on all hearings;
(iv) the respondent police is directed to ensure that there is no threat to the life and safety of the de-facto complainant. In the event of any threat, appropriate steps to be taken. (v) the appellant shall not commit any offences of similar nature;
(vi) the appellant shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;
(vii) the appellant shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;
(viii) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Sessions Judge/trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the appellant in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the appellant released on bail by the learned Sessions Judge/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560];
(ix) if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.
13-05-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order NHS Note:
1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.
2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code
To 1.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent Police Office, Ranipet District.
2.The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Wing, Ranipet District.
3.The learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Ranipet District.
4. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai.
5. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Vellore.
P.DHANABAL, J.
NHS 13-05-2026