Sathishkumar v. State Rep By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 04.11.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Sathishkumar ... Petitioner Vs.

The State represented by The Inspector of Police, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Coimbatore.

(Crime No.20 of 2025/AC/CB) ... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the Petitioner/Accused on bail in Crime No.20 of 2025/AC/CB on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner :

Mr.M.Vijayaragavan For Respondent :

Mr.A.Gopinath, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

O R D E R

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 06.10.2025, for the offence punishable under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in Crime No.20 of 2025/AC/CB, registered on the file of the respondent, seeks bail. 1/6

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner is working as a Forest Guard. It is alleged that he, along with two other Forest Guards, demanded and accepted a sum of Rs.2,000/- as illegal gratification from the de facto complainant, who was allegedly transporting chicken manure in a vehicle. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has already been arrested and has been in custody since 06.10.2025. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police opposed the grant of bail to the petitioner, reiterating the prosecution case and submitted that there are totally three accused involved in this case, and the petitioner is ranked as A3. He further submitted that the investigation in this case has not yet been completed. 2/6

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

6. Considering the nature of the allegations, the fact that the petitioner has already been suspended from service and taking into account the period of incarceration, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions:

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Coimbatore, 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 a period of three weeks, and thereafter as and when required for interrogation;

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[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 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. 04.11.2025 sma 4/6

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, Coimbatore. 2.The Sub Inspector of Police, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Coimbatore.

3.The Central Prison, Coimbatore.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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K.RAJASEKAR, J.

sma 04.11.2025 6/6