Aswatha v. The State Represented By The Station House Officer,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 22-10-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR CRL OP NO.21279 of 2025 Aswatha Petitioner(s) Vs The State Represented by The Station House Officer, Grand Bazzar Police Station, Pondicherry.

Crime No.149 of 2025.

Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest pending investigation in Crime No.149 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.Sanjay Davidson For Respondent(s):

Mr.M.V.Ramachandara Murthy Additional Public Prosecutor Puducherry.

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest by the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 34, 420 of IPC, in Crime No.149 of 2025, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The allegation against the petitioner is that she, along with the other accused, who are her family members collected a total sum of Rs. 1.45 crores from 30 victims under the pretext of getting job for them. However, they subsequently failed to fulfill their promise. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is a medical professional and was merely assisting her parents. It is further submitted that she has been falsely implicated in this case. Hence, the learned counsel prays that anticipatory bail may be granted to the petitioner.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor (Puducherry) appearing for the respondent reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the victims have lodged a complaint involving a total amount of Rs.1.45 crores. It is specifically stated that 14 of the victims had transferred a sum of Rs.29 lakhs to the account of the petitioner

herein. He further submitted that copies of the bank transactions evidencing the payment to the petitioner's account have been produced, and that further investigation is still pending. Hence, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the fact that a huge amount of nearly Rs.1.45 crores have been cheated and that there is a specific allegation against the petitioner that she had collected a sum of Rs.29 lakhs, in her account and no amount was recovered, this Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 22-10-2025 drl K.RAJASEKAR, J.,

drl To 1.The Station House Officer, Grand Bazzar Police Station, Pondicherry.

2.The Public Prosecutor Puducherry.

CRL OP NO.21279 of 2025 22.10.2025