Manikandan v. State By, Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 14.05.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR Manikandan ... Petitioner Vs.

State by, The Inspector of Police, Kalavai Police Station, Ranipet District.

(Crime No.67 of 2025).

... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, pleased to enlarge the petitioner on bail, in Crime No.67 of 2025, pending investigation on the file of the respondent Police. For Petitioner :

Mr.D.Rameshkumar For Respondent :

Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

O R D E R

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 26.03.2025 for the offences punishable under Section 194(3) of BNSS @ 108 of BNS, in Crime No.67 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 1/4

2. The case of the prosecution is that due to the dowry demand and the harassment caused by the petitioner, the victim, who is the wife of the petitioner, has committed suicide by hanging. Hence the case.

3. The contention of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner is that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the marriage between the petitioner and the victim was solemnised on 27.08.2021 and they have no children, therefore, there was a dispute between them in this regard. He also submitted that only due to the depression, the deceased committed suicide and the petitioner has not abetted his wife to commit suicide. He further submitted that on the alleged date of occurrence, the petitioner was also present at the house and he is the one who had rushed to aid his wife and taken her to the hospital to save her life. He further submitted that the petitioner is in judicial custody from 26.03.2025 and he is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and opposed for granting bail to the petitioner stating that the RDO enquiry is still pending. He further submitted that initially, the case was registered for the offence under Section 194(3) of 2/4

BNSS and later, altered to one under Section 108 of BNS.

5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the submission made by the learned counsel appearing on either side and taking note of the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Arcot, and on further conditions that: [a] 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 the identity proofs to ensure their identity;

[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent Police, everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two weeks and thereafter, as and when required for further interrogation; [c] the petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation by a Police Officer as and when required; [d] the petitioner shall not directly or indirectly cause any threat to the de facto complainant and witnesses; 3/4

M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.

ham [e] the petitioner to give an undertaking that if required for being identified by witnesses during investigation or for police custody beyond the first fifteen days, he shall comply to the directions as may be given by the Court in this regard; [f] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283];

[g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

14.05.2025 ham 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 Judicial Magistrate, Arcot.

2. The Inspector of Police, Kalavai Police Station, Ranipet District.

3. The Superintendent, Central Jail, Vellore.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. 4/4