Karunakaran v. State Rep By
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 22.05.2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL M. Karunakaran ...Petitioner/Accused-3 Vs.
The State rep. by The Inspector of Police, Kundadam Police Station, Tiruppur District Crime No.126 of 2026 ...Respondent/Complainant PRAYER :- Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 praying to grant prearrest bail to the petitioner in Crime No.126 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police.
For Petitioner :
Mr.T.Shunmugarajeswaran For Respondent :
Mr.R.Ganesh Kumar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side) Asst.by Mr.Mohammed Imran.A
ORDER
This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner on 1/7
19.05.2026 under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, praying to grant an order of pre-arrest bail.
2. The petitioner apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondentpolice for the offences punishable under Sections 303 (2) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 r/w 21 (1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in Crime No.126 of 2026 on the file of the respondent-police.
3. The case of the prosecution is that on 14.05.2026 while the respondent police was on patrol they found two tipper lorries with 2 1⁄2 unit of Gravel sand filled in JCB from the land of the petitioner. Hence, the case.
4. Mr.T.Shunmugarajeswaran, learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submits that the petitioner is the owner of the land. He however submits that the petitioner is ready to abide any conditions to be imposed by this Court. Accordingly, he prays to grant an order of pre-arrest bail to the petitioner. 2/7
5. Per contra, Mr.R.Ganesh Kumar, learned Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent-police, submits that the petitioner has illegally transported 2 1⁄2 unit of gravel sand in two tipper lorries in JCB without obtaining permission from the competent authority. Accordingly, he prays to dismiss this Criminal Original Petition.
6. Heard both sides. This Court has perused the records.
7. Considering the fact that the petitioner is the owner of the land and further, the petitioner has permanent residence and deep roots in the society, hence, there is less possibility of absconding. Considering the same and also considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of the offence, the quantity of gravel sand allegedly transported by the accused persons and with a view to give an opportunity to the petitioner to reform himself, this Court is inclined to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, pre-arrest bail is granted to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:
(i) The petitioner shall be released on pre-arrest bail in the event of his arrest or in the event of his surrender before the learned Judicial 3/7
Magistrate, Dharapuram, within a period of 15 days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, on executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) along with two sureties each for a like sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Dharapuram. (ii) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the Application for Suretyship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Judicial Magistrate, Dharapuram. shall obtain a copy of any one of identity proofs to ensure their identity.
(iii) The petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation by a police officer as and when required.
(iv) 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.
(v) The petitioner shall also not, directly or indirectly, cause any 4/7
threat to the defacto complainant and witnesses and shall not tamper the evidence.
(vi) The petitioner shall not leave India without prior permission of the Court.
(vii) The petitioner shall furnish his residential address and mobile number to the concerned Magistrate.
(viii) On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Judicial Magistrate, Dharapuram. or Trial Judge, as the case may be, is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions are imposed by them as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) 13 SCC 283].
8. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed subject to the conditions stated supra.
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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 Dharapuram.
2.The Inspector of Police, Kundadam Police Station, Tiruppur District 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
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R.SAKTHIVEL.
J.
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