P. Gopinath v. The State Rep. By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 11-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN P. Gopinath ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep. by The Inspector of Police Katpadi Police Station, Vellore District.

Crime No.122 of 2026 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023 to enlarge the petitioners on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.122 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police and thus render justice.

For Petitioner(s):

M/S. M. Sathish Kumar For Respondent(s):

MS.R.S.INDIRA, GOVT.ADVOCATE (CRL.SIDE)

ORDER

The petitioner apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offence punishable under Sections 103(2), 191(2), 191(3) and 238 of BNS Act 2023 (302, 146, 148, 201 of IPC), in Crime No.122 of 2026, seeks anticipatory bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that on 21.05.2026 at about 10:00 hours, the respondent police received a complaint from the local Village Administrative Officer stating that a male body was discovered at Mariamman Koil Street, Agravaram, Katpadi, requesting legal action. Upon receipt of the said complaint, a case was registered by Tr. Manikantan, Sub-Inspector of Police, Katpadi Police Station, in Crime No. 122 of 2026 under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). 3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is entirely innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. It was further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to furnish substantial sureties to the satisfaction of the court, cooperate fully with the investigation, and abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Hon'ble Court. On these grounds, the counsel prayed for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4.Conversely, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police vehemently opposed the grant of anticipatory bail. It was submitted that the investigation is in its infancy and that the petitioner (designated as A6) is alleged to be the principal accused who initiated the

assault leading to the victim's death. The learned Government Advocate further contended that if the petitioner is enlarged on anticipatory bail, there is a strong probability of tampering with prosecution witnesses and hampering the ongoing investigation.

5.This Court has carefully considered the rival submissions, the gravity of the offences alleged, and the specific role attributed to the petitioner. Given that the investigation is still at a crucial stage, and considering the serious nature of the allegations, custodial interrogation is deemed essential to the investigative process. Granting pre-arrest bail at this juncture would potentially jeopardize the integrity of the investigation and create an apprehension of witness intimidation.

6.Consequently, this Court finds no merit in the present petition, and the request for pre-arrest bail cannot be acceded to. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed.

11-06-2026 GBI

To 1.The Inspector of Police Katpadi Police Station, Vellore District.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

GBI 11-06-2026