Mannu v. State By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 14-05-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P. DHANABAL CRL OP No. 12943 of 2026 Mannu S/o.Vellai, 222, Pillayar Koil Street, Karikanthangal, Perumpallam, Arugavur.

..Petitioner(s) Vs State by Sub-Inspector of Police, Cheyyar Police Station, Thiruvannamalai District.

Cr.No.515 of 2025.

..Respondent(s) To grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the event of the arrest of petitioner by police for the reasons stated in the petition, in connection with the case in Cr.No.515 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police and pass such further or other orders as may be deemed fit and proper by this Honble court.

For Petitioner(s):

Anbharasu A S.Vishal For Respondent(s):

Mr.A.Gopinath, Govt.Advocate (Crl.Side).

1/6

O R D E R

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest in the hands of the respondent Police, for the alleged offence punishable under Sections 303(2), 326(a) of BNS Act and Section 21(5) of MMDR Act in Crime No.515 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that when the respondent police patrollling near Mariamman temple, the petitioner was found to be illegally transporting 1/4 unit of river sand in a bullock cart.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case; that the sand and the bullock cart was seized by the respondent police; and that the custodial interrogation is not required in this case and hence prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the case of the prosecution and on instructions, submitted that the soil and the bullock cart was seized and apart from this 2/6

case, the petitioner has got one previous case and hence, he vehemently opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the rival submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on either side, nature of offence and the quantity of mineral involved in this case and the fact that the respondent police seized the sand and the bullock cart and though there is one previous case pending against the petitioner, it is not similar kind of offence and bail was granted to him, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner on certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Cheyyar on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only), with two sureties each 3/6

for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent Police or the Police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further conditions that:

[a] the petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity. [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police on every Saturday at 10.00 a.m., for a period of four weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation.

[c] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[d] the petitioner 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 petitioner in accordance with law as if the 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)AIR SCW 5560].

4/6

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

14-05-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order AY 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 Sub Inspector of Police, Cheyyar Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.

2.The Judicial Magistrate, Cheyyar.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

5/6

P.DHANABAL, J.

AY CRL OP No. 12943 of 2026 14-05-2026 6/6