Lingapoopathi v. The State Rep. By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 17.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Lingapoopathi ... Petitioner(s) Vs.

The State rep. by The Inspector of Police, Bazaar Police Station, Coimbatore.

... Respondent(s) Crime No.66 of 2026 PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail concerned in Crime No.66 of 2026 pending on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner(s) : Mr.E.Thiyaga For Respondent(s) : Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 13.02.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 331(4) and 305(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in Crime No.66 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

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2. It is the case of the prosecution that the petitioner committed theft by stealing the mobile phone of the defacto complainant. It is further alleged that twenty other mobile phones were also recovered from the petitioner. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the petitioner has been in custody since 13.02.2026 and is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for the grant of bail.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent, while opposing the grant of bail to the petitioner, reiterated the prosecution case and, on instructions, submitted that the petitioner has four previous cases of a similar nature to his credit, that all the stolen properties have been recovered from him, and that a major portion of the investigation has already been completed.

5. Considering the above facts and circumstances, particularly the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, the fact that the stolen properties have been recovered from him, and also the fact that a major portion of the 2/6

investigation has already been completed, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail, subject to certain conditions.

6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on their executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate-V, Coimbatore, and subject to the following conditions: [a] 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 the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police twice a day at 10.30 a.m. and 05.30 p.m. until further orders;

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

[d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [e] on breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions had been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court itself, as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. 3/6

State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283];

[f] if the petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

17.06.2026 skr 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 the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. 4/6

To

1. The learned Judicial Magistrate-V, Coimbatore,

2. The Superintendent, Central prison, Coimbatore.

3. The Inspector of Police, Bazaar Police Station, Coimbatore

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras 5/6

C.KUMARAPPAN,J.

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