Lawrence Augustin Lawrence Prabhu v. The State Rep. By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 08-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN

1. Lawrence @ Augustin Lawrence Prabhu S/o. Mani, 131, Bell View, Grays Hill,Coonoor, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu - 643101.

2. Ravi @ Victor Davadas Anthoni Patrick S/o. Anthoni Patrick, 25/74-11/206, Sarojini Cottage, Dharmona Road, Kotagiri,The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu- 643217.

3. Backiyanathan @ P J J Packianathan S/o.Philip, 133, Periyar Colony, Finger Post, Kandhal, Udhagamandalam,The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu - 643006.

4. Liyo @ Leo S/o. Cruz, Door No. 87,kandal bazar,Udhagamandalam, Finger Post,The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu-643006 ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep. by The Inspector of Police Kothagiri Police Station, The Nilgiris District Crime No.0115 of 2026.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the Petitioners/Accused (A1 to A4) on anticipatory bail in the event of arrest in Crime No.0115 of 2026 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Kothagiri Police Station, The Nilgiris District.

For Petitioner(s):

Mrs.K. Sankavi For Respondent(s):

M/s.R.S.Indira, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioners apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 115(2), 118(1) of BNS, 2023 in Crime No.0115 of 2026, on the file of the respondent Police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that, when the defacto complainant visited his friend's house, A1 was allegedly playing music at a high volume. When the defacto complainant asked him to reduce the volume, a quarrel ensued, during which the petitioners assaulted the defacto complainant and his friends. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent and they have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that they are ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, upon instructions,

submitted that the alleged occurrence took place on 23.05.2026 and that the petitioners have no bad antecedents. Hence, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

5. I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side.

6. Taking into consideration the above aspects, along with the fact that the occurrence took place on 23.05.2026 and that the petitioners have no bad antecedents, this Court is of the firm view that, at this length of time, the custodial interrogation of the petitioners is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court, Kothagiri, The Nilgiris District, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two sureties each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions:

(a) If the petitioners fails to surrender before the concerned learned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

(b) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the application for surety ship (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify proofs to ensure their identity;

(c) The petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m, for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation; (d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560];.

(e) If the petitioners thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

08-06-2026 DRL

To 1.The Judicial Magistrate Court, Kothagiri, The Nilgiris District.

2. The Inspector of Police Kothagiri Police Station, The Nilgiris District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

DRL 08-06-2026