Selvam v. The State Rep. By Its Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 14-05-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P. DHANABAL Selvam ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep. by its Inspector of Police Arni Taluk Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.

Cr.No. 671/2025.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest in Crime No. 671 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police station and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.Sathiyaraj E.

For Respondent(s):

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

ORDER

The petitioner who apprehends arrest in the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 303(2) of BNS Act, 2023 (Corresponding Section 379 of IPC) in Crime No. 671 of 2025, seeks anticipatory bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that on 01.10.2025, the Revenue Divisional Officer conducted a checkup at Mamandur in Ladapadi Village and

found that the petitioner was illegally transporting 1 unit of sand in a vehicle bearing Registration No. TN-15-V-3250. On seeing the official, the petitioner dropped the vehicle and escaped from the spot. Hence, the Revenue Divisional Officer lodged a complaint dated 01.10.2025 to the respondent police and they registered an FIR in Crime No. 671 of 2025. Hence the case. 3.Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any such offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that this is a third anticipatory bail petition, the first application in Crl.O.P.No. 31489 of 2025 having been dismissed on 19.11.2025, and the second application in Crl.O.P.No. 7714 of 2026 having been dismissed on 01.04.2026.

He further submitted that though there are 4 previous cases pending against the petitioner, they are of a completely different nature and bail has already been granted to him in all of those cases. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by the conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed anticipatory bail for the petitioner.

4.The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the petitioner has 4 previous cases pending against him. Hence, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the Petitioner.

5.Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record. 6.Considering the rival submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, the nature of offences, and also the fact that the 4 previous cases pending against the petitioner are of a different nature and bail has already been granted to him in all those cases, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to the following 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 on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Arni, Tiruvannamalai District on condition that the 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 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;

[b] the petitioner 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 petitioner shall not leave India without the previous permission of the Court;

[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];

[f] If the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 BNSS, 2023 14-05-2026 SHA 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, Arni, Tiruvannamalai District.

2.The Inspector of Police Arni Taluk Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District..

3.The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai.

P.DHANABAL, J.

SHA 14-05-2026