Ranganathan v. State Represented By The Sub-Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 14-05-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P. DHANABAL CRL OP No. 12984 of 2026 Ranganathan (M/54 years) S/o. Ganesan, No. 202, Mela Street, Ko. Adhanur, Virudhachalam, Cuddalore District 606 003.

..Petitioner(s) vs State represented by The Sub-Inspector of Police, Kammapuram Police Station, Cuddalore District.

Cr.No.59 of 2026 ..Respondent(s) To enlarge the Petitioner/ Accused on Bail in the event of arrest in connection with the F.I.R. in Crime No. 59 of 2026, on the file of the Respondent police and thus render justice.

For Petitioner(s):

Sambath Kumar G S.Diviya J.L.Ananda Deepiah M.Karthikeyan For Respondent(s):

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

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(1) of MMDR Act in Crime No.59 of 2026, on the 1/6

file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 08.05.2026, the respondent police found that the petitioner was illegally transporting 1/4 unit of river sand in a tractor.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case; that the sand and the vehicle 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 vehicle were seized and 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 vehicle, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the 2/6

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 No.II, Virudhachalam 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 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 3/6

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 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, Kammapuram Police Station, Cuddalore District.

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2.The Judicial Magistrate No.II, Virudhachalam.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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P.DHANABAL, J.

AY CRL OP No. 12984 of 2026 14-05-2026 6/6