Arjunan M v. State Rep. By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 29-05-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ Arjunan ..Petitioner Vs State Rep. by The Inspector of Police Vanur Police Station, Villupuram-605104.

(Crime No. 10/2026) ..Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No. 10/2026 in the event of arrest pending investigation on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner:

Mr.S. Lakshmikanth For Respondent:

S.Yogaraja Sekar, Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent Police for the offences punishable under Sections 303(2) and 21(1) of Mines &

Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 in Crime No.10 of 2026 on the file of the respondent Police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner, pleading innocence on the part of the petitioner and false implication in the case, seeks indulgence of this Court. He submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner, being the driver of the vehicle is suffering from skin cancer. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court. Therefore, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

3. The case of the prosecution as put forth by the learned counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police, opposing the grant of anticipatory bail that the petitioner has attempted illegal transportation of sand without any valid permit or license. He also submitted that no sand was recovered and only the vehicle has been seized. He further submitted that there are two previous cases, similar in nature have been registered against the petitioner. Hence, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side) for the respondent Police and perused the materials available on record and also considering the fact that the sand was not recovered by the respondent police and that the petitioner is suffering from Skin Cancer, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. 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 is made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate Vanur, Villupuram District on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.

[b] the petitioner is directed to make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.25,000/- [Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only] directly to the credit of "Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority, High Court Campus, Chennai", without prejudice to the right of the defence before the Trial Court and the receipt shall be produced at the time of executing the bond;

[c] the petitioner shall report before the respondent Police, daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; [d] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

[e] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

[f] 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];

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

29-05-2026 SHL/NSL Note:

1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order on the Official Website of this Court.

2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded on 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, Vanur, Villupuram District.

2. The Inspector of Police Vanur Police Station, Villupuram-605104.

3. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court.

MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.

SHL/NSL 29-05-2026