Ranganathan v. State Represented By, The Inspector Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 07.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR Ranganathan ... Petitioner Vs.
State, represented by, The Inspector of Police, M-4, Redhills Police Station, Chennai District.
(Crime No.488 of 2025).
... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 483 of BNSS, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.488 of 2025 on the file of the respondent Police.
For Petitioner :
Mr.D.Jaiganesh For Respondent :
Mr.R.Vinoth Raja, Government Advocate (Crl. Side)
ORDER
The petitioner arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 22.07.2025 in connection with Crime No.488 of 2025 for offence under Page No.1 of 7
Sections 296(b), 115(2), 124(2), 125, 351(3) of BNS on the file of the respondent Police, seeks bail.
2.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is running a provision store viz., Ranganathan Stores, on 15.07.2025, the petitioner's employee Santhosh committed mistake which was questioned by the petitioner. Due to which, there was wordy altercation and push and pull. During that time, bathroom cleaning acid which was in the rack, fell down and Santhosh and one of the customer Humain Basha suffered some burn injuries. The petitioner immediately took both of them to the hospital and provided medical and financial help. The petitioner paid Rs.5,000/- for the treatment of Santhosh. As regards, Humain Basha is concerned, he took treatment at Rela MS Hospital, Padinallur and for his COVID-19 and other treatment, an amount of Rs.45,000/- so far paid by the petitioner.
Without prejudice to his rights and submissions and on humanitarian consideration, the petitioner is ready to give another Rs.2,00,000/- for Humain Basha for treatment and also undertakes to take care of him if required. It is only an accidental incident which is now given a criminal colour. Considering the Page No.
above and the period of incarceration from 22.07.2025, the bail may be granted to the petitioner.
3.The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent Police strongly opposed the petitioner's submission and submitted that the petitioner, who is running a provision store, not paid salary and other emoluments to his employee Santhosh which was requested. Annoyed over the same, the petitioner using force had assaulted Santhosh and also thrown bathroom cleaning acid over him. The force was such that an innocent customer Humain Basha, who was partially blind by birth and also having a blind child, had sustained acid injuries and now, his partial eye sight is questionable and he is almost become blind. Immediately after the incident, the petitioner had ran away from the scene, thereafter, nearby shop owners took both victims to hospital for treatment. As regards Santhosh is concerned, the petitioner paid Rs.5,000/- and with regard to Humain Basha, the petitioner to transfer an amount of Rs.2,00,000/- to his bank account. On such condition, the bail may be considered.
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4.Considering the period of incarceration and the petitioner is ready and willing to transfer an amount of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees two lakhs only) to the bank account of injured Humain Basha without prejudice to his rights and contention and on humanitarian consideration, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. 5.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 Judicial Magistrate No.II, Ponneri 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., for 30 days and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation;
[c]the petitioner shall transfer an amount of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees two lakh only) to the bank account of Humain Basha viz., Indian Bank, Redhills Branch bearing Account No.6104126977 & IFSC Code.IDIB000R016 and shall produce the proof of payment before the Magistrate at the time of executing sureties. Page No.4 of 7
[d]the petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation by a Police Officer as and when required;
[e]the petitioner shall not directly or indirectly cause any threat to the defacto complainant and witnesses;
[f]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;
[g]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]; [h]If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.
07.08.2025 Speaking Order/Non Speaking Order Index : Yes/No vv2 Page No.5 of 7
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 No.II, Ponneri.
2.The Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.
3.The Inspector of Police, M-4, Redhills Police Station, Chennai District.
4.The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court.
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M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.
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