Agathiyar @ Manikandadevar @ Meikandadevan v. Station House Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 13-05-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P. DHANABAL

1. Agathiyar @ Manikandadevar @ Meikandadevan

2. Rakesh

3. Parthiban @ Parthippan

4. Manojkumar ... Petitioners vs.

Station House Officer, Chidambaram Town Police Station Chidambaram Cuddalore District.

(Crime No.143 / 2026) ... Respondent PRAYER Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of B.N.S.S., to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail in the event of arrest by the respondent police in Crime No.143 of 2026.

For Petitioners:

Mr.K.G. Senthil Kumar For Respondent:

Mr.S. Balaji Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The petitioners, who apprehend arrest in the hands of the respondent

police for the offences punishable under Sections 191(2), 191(3), 296(b), 118(1), 351(3) and 303(2) of BNS Act, 2023, in connection with Cr.No.143 of 2026, seek anticipatory bail.

2.

The case of the prosecution is that, on 22.04.2026, the petitioners, who belongs to the same political party as of the de facto complainant, had assaulted the de facto complainant while he was presiding over a meeting in a hotel. Hence the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that, due to political rival, the de facto complainant had damaged the wing shield of the car of the 1st petitioner and a case has been registered against the de facto complainant and that in order to escape from the clutches of law, the de facto complainant has filed the present complaint. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent reiterated the prosecution case and would submit that there is no previous case pending as against the petitioners; that the injured have been discharged from hospital and that a case in counter has been filed by the present petitioners.

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

6. Considering the rival submissions on either side, the nature of offences charged against the petitioners, and considering the fact that the injured have been discharged from the Hospital, the dispute between the parties is relating to politics, there is no previous case as against the petitioners and there is a case in counter, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners subject to the following conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the Judicial Magistrate II, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, on condition that each petitioner shall execute 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 Magistrate concerned and on further condition that:

[a] the petitioners shall report before the respondent-police on every Saturday at 10.30 a.m. for a period of four weeks and thereafter, as and when required when required for interrogation. [b] the petitioners shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to

dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer; [c] the petitioners shall not leave India without the previous permission of the Court;

[d] the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial. [e] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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)AIR SCW 5560].

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 B.N.S.2023.

13.05.2026 bga/dh 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 official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code.

To

1. The Judicial Magistrate II, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District

2. Station House Officer, Chidambaram Town Police Station Chidambaram Cuddalore District.

3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

P. DHANABAL,J.

bga/dh 13.05.2026