R.Vijayalakshmi v. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 14.07.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN R.Vijayalakshmi ... Petitioner Vs.
1. State of Tamil Nadu by Deputy Superintendent of Police Nagapattinam
2. Inspector of Police Nagapattinam Town Police Station Nagapattinam (Crime No.269 of 2025)
3. Senthamilselvi ... Respondents Prayer: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, to direct the learned Principal District Judge (Special Judge for SC/ST (POA), Act 2015), Nagapattinam to consider the petitioner's bail application on the same day in connection with the Crime No.269 of 2025 on the file of second respondent police on her surrender. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Arun For Respondents 1 and 2 : Dr.C.E.Pratap Government Advocate (Crl. Side) 1/6
O R D E R
This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner/accused to direct the learned Principal District Judge (Special Judge for SC/ST (POA), Act 2015), Nagapattinam to consider the petitioner's bail application on the same day of her surrender in connection with the Crime No.269 of 2025 on the file of second respondent police.
2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 and also perused the materials available on record.
3. Since no adverse order is being passed against the third respondent, notice to the third respondent is dispensed with.
4. It is to be noted that as per Section 18 of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (in short "SC/ST Act"), there is a bar to file a petition under Section 438 Cr.P.C./483 of B.N.S.S. Therefore Anticipatory Bail is not maintainable for the offence under the SC/ST Act. Further Section 15A under Chapter IV-A was introduced by Act 1 of 2016 w.e.f. 26.01.2016, as per which, 2/6
notice has to be sent to the victim, in respect of any proceedings and without giving notice, no proceedings shall be proceeded further. Further, the inherent power under Section 482 Cr.P.C./528 of B.N.S.S. should not be invoked automatically and the jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C./528 of B.N.S.S. should be exercised sparingly. When there is a specific bar under the Special Act, this Court cannot ignore the intention of the Legislators and the purpose of enactment of the Special Act. If the petitioner's application is directed to be considered on the same day without giving notice to the victim, the purpose of Sections 18 and 15A(3)(5) of SC/ST Act would be defeated and the same would curtail the statutory right of the victim.
5. Under such circumstances, this Court is not inclined to invoke Section 482 Cr.P.C./528 of B.N.S.S., which would amount to ignoring the provisions of the Special Act. Therefore, this petition shall stand dismissed.
6. However, the petitioner is at liberty to workout her remedy before the Special Court in the manner known to law and the learned Special Judge/Magistrate is directed to exercise his/her discretionary power after giving notice to the victim. The learned Special 3/6
Judge/Magistrate is also directed to adhere the statutory provisions of Sections 18 and 15 A (3)(5) of SC/ST Act.
14.07.2025 Index : Yes/No Speaking Order : Yes/No ksa-2 4/6
To
1. The Principal District Judge (Special Judge for SC/ST (POA)Act 2015), Nagapattinam
2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police Nagapattinam
3. Inspector of Police Nagapattinam Town Police Station Nagapattinams
4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.
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P.VELMURUGAN, J ksa-2 14.07.2025 6/6