Navaneethan Alias Navaneethakrishnan v. State Rep By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 04.08.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR 1.Navaneethan @ Navaneethakrishnan 2.Tamil @ Tamilselvan 3.Vinoth @ Vinoth Prakash ... Petitioners/A1 to A3 Vs State rep by the Inspector of Police, Mecheri Police Station, Salem District.

(Crime No.371 of 2025) ... Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 praying to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest by the respondent police in Crime No.371 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police. For petitioners : Mr.C.Deepak Kumar For Respondent : Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam Additional Public Prosecutor 1/6

ORDER

The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 296(b), 115(2), 118(1), and 351(3) of BNS, 2023 in Crime No.371 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the de-facto complainant is running a bar. On the date of occurrence, the petitioners along with other accused came to the bar to have a liquor, at that time the power cut off. The petitioners along with other accused started abusing the de-facto complainant, which was questioned by the de-facto complainant's uncle. Hence, the petitioner along with other accused attacked the de-facto complainant and his uncle, due to which, they sustained injury. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent persons and they have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioners are ready to abide 2/6

by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, prayed for anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

4.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police while opposing for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners, reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that in this case there are totally 4 accused, the petitioners are ranked as A1 to A3. A1 has got one previous case, A2 has got two previous cases and A3 has got no previous case.

5.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the respondent Police and perused the materials available on record.

6.Considering the submissions made on either side and the nature of allegation, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners with certain conditions.

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7.Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Mettur on condition that the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) each, with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that: [a] if the petitioners fail to surrender before the said Magistrate within a period of fifteen days, this Order shall stand automatically cancelled;

[b] The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the Application for Suretyship [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;

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[c] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of three weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation;

[d] the petitioners shall not directly or indirectly cause any threat to the defacto complainant and witnesses and shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [e] the petitioners shall make themselves available for interrogation by the respondent as and when required; [f] the petitioners to give an undertaking that if required for being identified by witnesses during investigation or for custody beyond the first fifteen days, he shall comply to the directions as may be given by the Court in this regard;

[g] the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

[h] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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)AIR SCW 5560]; 5/6

M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.

rsi [i] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS.

04.08.2025 rsi To 1.The Inspector of Police, Mecheri Police Station, Salem District.

2.The Judicial Magistrate No.II, Mettur.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court Madras.

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