Jayaraman v. The State Rep By, The Station Head Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Jayaraman 21, Sivagami Nagar, Parameswaranallur, C. Thandeswaranallur, Chidambaram Taluk, Cuddalore District 608 001.

..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep by, The Station Head Officer, Chidambaram Town Police Station, Cuddalore.

Crime No.170 of 2026 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 482 of BNSS, praying to grant relief of anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest in connection with Crime No.170 of 2026 registered for offences under sections 296(b), 126(2), 49 of BNS r/w 4 of TNPWH Act. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.T.Balaji For Respondent(s):

MR.N.PALANIVEL, GOVT.ADVOCATE (CRL.SIDE)

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offence punishable under Section 296(b), 126(2) and 49 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, read with Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act, 2002, in Crime No. 170/2026, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 20.04.2026 at 09.45 a.m., the petitioner, along with the School watchman, wrongfully restrained the defacto complainant, abused her, instigated other to harass her in the classroom, issued death threats, and prevented her from signing the attendance register. Hence, the case.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is a School Headmaster. The dispute concerns the defacto complainant's temporary appointment as a temporary PG Physics Assistant under the PTA. A civil suit regarding the appointment is pending before the Principal District Munsif Court, Chidambaram. The petitioner contends that, after failing to secure permanent appointment, the defacto complainant lodged the present complaint to pressurize the school management and misuse the criminal process. The petitioner is a law abiding citizen and he will not hamper or tamper with evidences. He is an income tax assesse and a respected academician. If he is arrested, he will lose his respect in the society. The petitioner is ready and willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, intervenor and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the respondent.

6. I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and also perused the records available.

7. From the submissions on either side, it is seen that the occurrence took place on 24.05.2026 and in this connection the FIR came to be registered on 26.05.2026. In view of the civil litigation between the petitioner and the defacto complainant, the present complaint came to be registered. Considering the totality of the facts, the fact that no one was injured, that the occurrence took place on 24.05.2026 and that the petitioner is a School Headmaster, this Court is of the view that, at this length of time, the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail.

8. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Chidambaram, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a 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 petitioner 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 petitioner shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10.30 a.m. for a period of four 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 petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner 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 petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

17-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order AH

To 1.The Station Head Officer, Chidambaram Town Police Station, Cuddalore.

2.The Judicial Magistrate II, Chidambaram.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

AH 17-06-2026