C Lakshmanan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 06.03.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN CRL OP(MD)No.4674 of 2026 C.Lakshmanan ... Petitioner / Accused Rank Not Known

Versus

The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by the Inspector of Police, Manur Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

(Crime No.284 of 2026) ... Respondent / Complainant (Crime No. amended vide order dated 06.03.2026 in Crl.MP(MD).No.5246 of 2026 in Crl.OP(MD).No.4674 of 2026) PRAYER :-Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest in Crime No.284 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police or on his appearance.

For Petitioner :

Mr.M.Perumal For Respondent :

Mr.P.Kottaichamy, Government Advocate (Criminal Side) 1/6

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner/accused, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police in Crime No.284 of 2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 296(b), 132 and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 19.02.2026, at about 03.30 p.m., when the defacto complainant, who is the Village Administrative Officer, went to conduct a land survey, the petitioner prevented her from discharging her official duty, abused her in filthy language and threatened her with dire consequences. Hence, the respondent police registered a case against the accused for the above offences.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner only gave certain instructions to the defacto complainant. Accordingly, he prayed for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 2/6

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that the accused person criminally intimidated the defacto complainant and that, if the petitioner is released on anticipatory bail, he may again threaten the defacto complainant. Hence, he objected to the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. This Court heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials placed on record.

6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and also considering the fact that no injury was caused, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, this petition is allowed and 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 made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.V, Tirunelveli, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs. 3/6

10,000/-(Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent Police or to the Police Officer, who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned and on further conditions that:

(a) the petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity;

(b) the petitioner shall appear and sign before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of 15 days and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation; (c) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; (d) the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

(e) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/ Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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 4/6

Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; and (f) if the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS, 2023.

06.03.2026 (2/2) pal To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.V, Tirunelveli.

2.The Inspector of Police, Manur Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

5/6

K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN ,J.

pal

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.4674 of 2026 Date : 06.03.2026 (2/2) 6/6