V. Natarajan v. The State Rep. By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 03.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR CRL OP No. 32329 of 2025 V.Natarajan Petitioner/A7 Vs The State rep. by The Inspector of Police Central Crime Branch, Chennai Crime No. 116 of 2024.

Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of his arrest in connection with the Crime No. 116 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.R. Rajagopal, Senior Advocate For Mr.C.Sangamithirai For Respondent : Ms.J.R.Archana Government Advocate (Criminal Side) ----

O R D E R

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent 1/6

police for the offences punishable under Sections 406, 420, 120B and under Section 34 of IPC, 1860 and under Section 5 of the Tamil Nadu Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishment Act, 1997 (TNPID) in Crime No.116 of 2024, on the file of the respondent Police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner is ranked as A7 in this case and he is one of the Director in the Chit Fund Company which involved in collecting the Chit Funds from the de-facto complainant and other victims to the tune of Rs.2,34,83,125/- and subsequently, failed to return back the deposited amount. Hence the complaint.

3. The learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner herein is not an active Director though in the FIR stated that the petitioner had participated in the affairs of the Finance Company and he further submits that the petitioner has not benefited from any of the 2/6

transactions. He also submits that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and the petitioner has been falsely implicated. He also submits that the petitioner is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court and ready to furnish sufficient solvent sureties for his release. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal side) appearing for the respondent police, reiterated the prosecution case and submits that A1 and A2 were already arrested in this case and in the statement of A2 revealed that the petitioner is also one of the Director of Chit Fund Company. He further submits that investigation is pending. Therefore, he opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. I have also gone through the FIR and the statement recorded from A1, it reveals that the petitioner was only assisted to the Director of the Chit Fund Company and he is not having any role in the management affairs of 3/6

the Chit Fund Company. It is also stated that the money collected by the petitioners/A1 to A4 and all the money siphoned off by them. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner herein with certain conditions.

6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Metropolitan Magistrate for Exclusive Trial of CCB Cases and CBCID Metro Cases, Egmore, Chennai, on condition that the petitioner shall execute 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 Magistrate concerned and on further condition that:

(a) If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned Magistrate, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

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[b] 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;

[c] 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;

[d] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the petitioners released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court themselves as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283];

[e] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S. 5/6

03.12..2025 MSM To 1.The Metropolitan Magistrate for Exclusive Trial of CCB Cases and CBCID Metro Cases, Egmore, Chennai, 2.The Inspector of Police Central Crime Branch, Chennai Crime No. 116 of 2024.

3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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K.RAJASEKAR , J.

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