Sakthipriyan v. The State Rep By, The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Sakthipriyan ..Petitioner(s) Vs State Rep By, The Inspector of Police Ariyalur Police Station Ariyalur District.

..Respondent(s) Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.189 of 2026 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police For Petitioner(s):

Mr.R.Gokulakrishnan For Respondent(s):

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

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 14.05.2026 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 296(b), 115(2), 118(2), 109(1), and 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, in Crime No. 189 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner assaulted the deceased, Gandhirajan, with a T-Spanner on his head. Following the assault, the victim was admitted to the hospital for medical treatment, where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent. He states that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submits that the petitioner works as an ambulance driver, providing not merely a commercial activity but a vital humanitarian service to the public. He prays for the grant of bail considering his occupation and length of custody since 14.05.2026.

4. The learned Government Counsel (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police vehemently opposes the grant of bail. He reiterates the case of the prosecution, submitted that the accused brutally attacked the defacto complainant's father with a lethal weapon (a T-Spanner) and caused his death. He further submits that the investigation is still pending and that releasing the petitioner at this critical stage would derail the probe.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court takes a very serious view of the matter. The petitioner is facing an accusation under

Section 105 of the BNS (Culpable Homicide not amounting to murder) for causing the death of the victim by inflicting a severe blow to the head with a TSpanner. While this Court notes the submission regarding the petitioner's profession as an ambulance driver, the humanitarian nature of an occupation cannot act as a shield against the gravity of a violent crime. Since the victim succumbed to injuries and the investigation is still in its infancy, his release at this stage would prejudice the investigation and witness examination. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to grant bail.

6. Accordingly, the Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed. 12-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Jeni To 1.The Judicial Magistrate-I, Ariyalur.

2.The Superintendent, Central Jail, Trichy.

3.The Inspector of Police, Ariyalur Police Station, Ariyalur District. 4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

Jeni 12-06-2026