Sridar v. The State Rep By Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 23-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Sridar ..Petitioner Vs The State Rep by The Inspector of Police Arni Town Police Station, Tiruvannamalai district.

..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in crime No.113 of 2026 pending on the file of respondent. For Petitioner:

Mr.S.Kalaikumar For Respondent:

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

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 12.05.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 126(2), 75(l)(ii) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 2002 in Crime No.113 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that when the de-facto complainant was washing her clothes in the bathroom of her house, the accused wrongfully restrained her and sexually harassed her with the intention of outraging her modesty. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the allegation against this petitioner is that the petitioner had been stalking the victim for one year and harassed her. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioner.

4. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the Respondent Police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the petitioner has three previous cases pending against him. Hence, he opposed the grant of bail to the Petitioner.

5. At this juncture, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that though the petitioner has three previous cases pending against him, they are not similar in nature.

6. I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions and perused the materials available on record.

7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case; taking note of the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), considering the period of incarceration of the petitioner since 12.05.2026 and upon the fact that though the petitioner has three previous cases pending against him and are not similar in nature, this Court is of the firm view that for the purpose of investigation, further interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

8. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his 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 at Arni, and on further conditions that: [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 daily at 10.30 a.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 pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283];

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

23-06-2026 SHL 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.

To:

1. The Judicial Magistrate at Arni

2. The Inspector of Police Arni Town Police Station, Tiruvannamalai district.

3. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Vellore

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras

C.KUMARAPPAN J.

SHL 23-06-2026