Murugan v. State Rep. By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 19.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Crl.O.P.No. 26452 of 2025 Murugan ... Petitioner-A1 Vs.

The State represented by The Sub Inspector of Police District Crime Branch Tiruvannamalai District Cr.No. 15 of 2025.

... Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petitions filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No. 15 of 2025 pending on the file of the Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Tiruvannamalai District.

For Petitioner : Mr.Jeremiah Gregory John For Intervener : Mr.S.P.Vishnu Prasath For Respondent : Dr.C.E.Pratap, Government Advocate, (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 26.08.2025, for the offences punishable under Sections 420 & 506(i) of IPC in Crime No. 15 of 2025 has been registered on the file of respondent police, seeks bail.

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2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner is an agent of the chit fund and the petitioner, is running the said chit fund along with other coaccused collected a sum of Rs.9,50,000/- from the de-facto complainant and thereafter, he failed to repay the amount. Hence the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner earlier paid a sum of Rs.3,00,000/- to the de-facto complainant and now, the petitioner is ready to pay another sum of Rs.4,00,000/- into the credit of Crime No. 15 of 2025. He further submitted that this Court earlier granted interim bail to the petitioner and he is ready to co-operate with the investigation.

3(a).Mr.S.P.Vishnu Prasath, learned Counsel for the Intervener submitted that huge amount was swindled by the petitioner under the pretext of conducting the Chit Fund and so far no amount has been paid by the petitioner. He further submitted that he has not collected any money from the de-facto complainant and denied the receipt of Rs.3,00,000/- as stated by the learned Counsel for the petitioner.

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4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent while opposing the bail to the petitioner, reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the cheated amount is Rs.9,50,000/- which is very huge amount. He further submitted that there is one previous case pending against the petitioner and he opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

5.This Court had already granted interim bail to the petitioner for the purpose of enabling the petitioner to generate some money, and now, the learned Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is ready to pay an additional sum of Rs.4,00,000/- into the credit of Crime No. 15 of 2025.

6.Considering the fact that the petitioner was under incarceration while granting interim bail and has now come forward to pay a sum of Rs.4,00,000/- into the credit of Crime No. 15 of 2025, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions:- 3/6

[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] that the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of four weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation.

[c] 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];

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

19.02.2026 MSM 4/6

Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes 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.

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To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.I, Tiruvannamalai District 2.The Sub Jail, Tiruvannamalai.

3.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras.

4.The Sub Inspector of Police District Crime Branch Tiruvannamalai District Cr.No. 15 of 2025.

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K.RAJASEKAR J.

MSM Crl.O.P.No. 26452 of 19.02.2026 7/6