M.Thinesh Mariathason Dalton v. The State Rep By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 30-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN M.Thinesh Mariathason Dalton ..Petitioner Vs The State Rep by the Inspector of Police CCB-1, EDF-III, Beta -7A, Central Crime Branch, Vepery, Chennai 600 007.

..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No. 203 of 2019.

For Petitioner:

Mr.R.Swarnavel For Respondent:

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

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 03.02.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 409 and 420 of Indian Penal Code, 1860, in Crime No.203 of 2019 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner, along with others, induced several persons to invest money under the guise of commodity trading

and collected huge sums of money. It is alleged that the petitioner collected around Rs.14 crores from nearly 250 victims. The defacto complainant invested Rs.3,10,000/- and later found that the amount was not returned, leading to the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the case and the allegations are exaggerated and motivated. It is submitted that the transaction is purely commercial in nature and does not constitute any criminal offence. The learned counsel would further submit that the defacto complainant voluntarily invested the amount with full knowledge of risks involved in such transactions and part of the amount has already been returned. The learned counsel would further submit that the petitioner' s wife is suffering from cancer and is in a critical condition and therefore his presence is necessary. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent submitted that on perusal of records, it reveals that there are nearly 250 victims and the petitioner has collected around Rs.14 crores. It is further submitted that the petitioner is arrayed as A1 and is the prime accused in this case. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) would submit that the allegations are serious in nature and involve cheating of a large number of

people.

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

6. This Court is of the view that from the materials available on record, it is seen that there are multiple victims and huge amount has been involved in the offence. Though the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner' s wife is in a critical condition, considering the seriousness of the allegations and the large scale cheating affecting the public, this Court is not inclined to grant bail.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed. 30-04-2026 NSL To

1. The Inspector of Police, CCB-1, EDF-III, Beta -7A, Central Crime Branch, Vepery, Chennai 600 007.

2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

NSL 30-04-2026