Natarajan v. The State Of Tamilnadu Rep. By
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 25/04/2025 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. SAKTHIVEL
1. Natarajan
2. Jayanthi ... Petitioners/A2 and A3 Vs The State of Tamilnadu Rep., By, the Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Lalgudi, Trichy District.(In Crime No.18 of 2025) (Amended as Per Order of the Court dated 22.04.2025 in Crl.M.P.(MD).No.4774 of 2025) ... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner :
Mr.T.Lenin Kumar, Advocate.
For Respondent :
Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.18 of 2025 on the file of the respondent-police. 1/6
ORDER : The Court made the following order :- This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioners on 28.03.2025 under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to grant an order of pre-arrest bail.
2. The petitioners apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent-Police for the offences punishable under Sections 9 and 10 of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, in Crime No.18 of 2025 on the file of the respondent-police.
3. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners' daughter, aged about 17 years old and studied 12th standard at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Mannachanalur. On 24.03.2025, the petitioners solemnized her marriage with one Silambarasan/A1 against her wish and will of the defacto complainant, when she was a minor. Hence, the complaint.
4. Mr.T.Lenin Kumar, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, submits that the petitioners have nothing to do with the alleged offence. He further submits that a false case has been foisted against the petitioners. He however submits that they are ready to abide any conditions to be imposed by this Court. Therefore, he prays for granting pre-arrest bail to the petitioners.
5. Per contra, Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent-Police, submits that at the time of marriage, the 2/6
victim girl was aged about 17 years. He further submits that if pre-arrest bail is granted to the petitioners, they will cause threat to the defacto complainant. Hence, he vehemently opposes to grant pre-arrest bail to the petitioners.
6. Heard on both sides. This Court has perused the records.
7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, and considering the nature of the offence alleged against the petitioners, and also considering the fact that the petitioners have permanent residence and deep roots in the society and therefore, there is less possibility of absconding, and also considering the fact that the petitioners are parents of the defacto complainant, and taking note of the fact that the custodial interrogation of the petitioners may not be necessary for the investigating agency and also with a view to give an opportunity to the petitioners to reform themselves, this Court is inclined to grant an order of pre-arrest bail to the petitioners. Accordingly, pre-arrest bail is granted to the petitioners subject to the following conditions:
(i) The petitioners shall be released on pre-arrest bail in the event of their arrest or in the event of their surrender before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Lalgudi, within a period of 15 days from date on which the order copy is made ready, on executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) each along with two sureties each for a like sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten 3/6
Thousand only) to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Lalgudi,; (ii) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the Application for Suretyship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Judicial Magistrate, Lalgudi, shall obtain a copy of any one of identity proofs to ensure their identity; (iii) The petitioners shall appear and sign before the respondent-police daily at 10.00 a.m., until further orders;
(iv) The petitioners shall make themselves available for interrogation by a police officer as and when required;
(v) The petitioners shall not, directly or indirectly cause threat to the defacto complainant and the witnesses and shall not tamper the evidence; (vi) The petitioners shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer; (vii) The petitioners shall not leave India without the previous permission of the Court;
(viii) The petitioners shall furnish their residential address and mobile number to the learned Judicial Magistrate, Lalgudi,; (ix)On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Judicial 4/6
Magistrate, Lalgudi, or Trial Court, as the case may be, is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions are imposed by him as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) 13 SCC 283].
8. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed subject to the conditions stated supra.
sd/- 25/04/2025 / TRUE COPY / /05/2025 Sub-Assistant Registrar ( C.S. I / II / III / IV ) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.
vsg TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, LALGUDI.
2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE TRICHY DISTRICT.
3.The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Lalgudi, Trichy District.
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4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
+1 CC to M/s.T.LENIN KUMAR, Advocate ( SR-4944[I] dated 28/04/2025 )
ORDER
IN CRL OP(MD) No.6076 of 2025 Date :25/04/2025 MK/29.05.2025 6P/6C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023 6/6