M.Lakshmikanthan v. The State Represented By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 15.07.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR M.Lakshmikanthan ... Petitioner Vs.

The State represented by, The Inspector of Police (V&AC), Krishnagiri.

Krishnagiri District.

... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in FIR No.11/AC/2025 on the file of the respondent Police. For Petitioner :

Mr.C.Palanisamy For Respondent :

Mr.R.Vinothraja Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

O R D E R

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 28.06.2025 in connection with FIR No.11/AC/2025 registered for the offences punishable under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended by the PC Amendment Act, 2018, seeks bail. 1/4

2. The case of the prosecution is that the accused, who is working as Village Administrative Officer had demanded a sum of Rs.6,000/- from the de facto complainant to issue a legal heir certificate and received a sum of Rs.1500/- as advance from him. Based on the complaint given by the de-facto complainant, a trap was laid and during the trap, the accused has been caught red handed by the respondent. Hence the case.

3. The contention of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner is that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioner has nothing to do with the alleged offence and he is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and opposed for granting bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the submission made by the learned counsel appearing on either side and taking note of the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. 2/4

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Krishnagiri, 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, everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of three weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation; [c] the petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation by a Police Officer as and when required; [d] the petitioner shall not directly or indirectly cause any threat to the de facto complainant and witnesses; [e] the petitioner to give an undertaking that if required for being identified by witnesses during investigation or for police custody beyond the first fifteen days, he shall comply to the directions as may be given by the Court in this regard; [f] 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 3/4

M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.

ham/cda laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283];

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

15.07.2025 ham 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 Principal District and Sessions Judge, Krishnagiri.

2. The Inspector of Police (V&AC), Krishnagiri, Krishnagiri District.

3. The Superintendent, District Jail, Dharmapuri.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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