A. Natarajan v. State By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 19-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN A. Natarajan ..Petitioner(s) Vs State by The Inspector of Police EOW, Erode, Erode District.

Cr.No.3 of 2026 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, pleased to enlarge the petitioner on Anticipatory Bail in the event of his arrest in Cr.No.3 of 2026 on the file of the Inspector of Police, EOW, Erode District.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.C. Prakasam For Respondent(s):

Mr.N.Palanivel Government Advocate (Criminal side)

ORDER

The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offences under Sections 408, 420, 477 A, 34 and 120 B of I.P.C. in Crime No.3 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner is employed as Head Master of Panchayat Primary School, Vippili, Chennimalai Union and also serves as the President of the Chennimalai Panchayat Union Area Teachers Co-

operative Thrift and Credit Society Limited. It is alleged that the petitioner along with other accused misappropriated a sum of Rs.1,25,53,301/- from the funds of the society. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that there are three accused persons, wherein A1 is the Secretary of the Co-operative Society, A3 is the son of A1 and the petitioner is arrayed as A2. He further submitted that the entire misappropriation was committed by A1, who transferred the funds to his son's account. In this connection, an enquiry was also conducted, which revealed that no amount was misappropriated by the petitioner. However, since he signed the voucher in his capacity as the President, he has been roped into this case. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

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

5.Although there are serious allegations, the overt act attributed to the petitioner is merely signing the vouchers. Furthermore, he is not a regular employee of the Co-operative Society, but is a school Teacher currently

working as a Head Master. Under such circumstances, this Court is of the firm view that the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not necessary at this stage. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

6.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 II, Erode, Erode District, on condition that the petitioner shall execute 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 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 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.

19-06-2026 ep

To 1.The Judicial Magistrate II, Erode, Erode District.

2.The Inspector of Police EOW, Erode, Erode District.

3.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

EP 19-06-2026