S Justin Thiraviyam v. The Inspector Of Police,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 08/05/2024 PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice ABDUL QUDDHOSE S.Justin Thiraviyam ... Petitioner/Accused 1 Vs The State represented by The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Pudukottai Thoothukudi District.
(Crime No. 4 of 2024).
... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : Mr.R.ANAND, Advocate For Respondent : Mr.M.VAIKKAM KARUNANITHI Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.438 of Cr.P.C PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No. 4/2024 on the file of the Respondent police.
ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner, apprehending arrest at the hands of the respondent Police, in connection with a case in Crime No.4 of 2024, for the offences punishable under Section 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 2002 r/w Section 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 and Sections 294(b), 323, 406, 442 and 307 IPC, has 1/6
filed this petition seeking anticipatory bail.
2. The case of the prosecution is that due to matrimonial dispute between the petitioner and the defacto complainant, the defacto complainant was harassed by the petitioner and other accused persons and they also demanded additional dowry. Hence, the complaint.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person, he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he has been falsely implicated in this case. All the complaints filed by the defacto complainant before the different Forum were settled by the parties. However, based on the complaint given by the defacto complainant under Section 156(3) of Cr.P.C, the present case has been registered as against the petitioner and other accused persons. The co-accused have already been enlarged on bail. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent Police would submit that due to matrimonial dispute, the defacto complainant was harassed by the accused persons. However, he fairly conceded that the co-accused were already enlarged on bail.
5. Heard both sides.
6.This Court, while granting anticipatory bail in this matter, has taken into 2/6
consideration (a) gravity of the crime, (b) character of the evidence, (c) position and status of the accused with reference to the victim and witnesses, (d) likelihood of the accused fleeing from justice and repeating the offence, (e) possibility of the accused (petitioner) tampering with the witnesses and obstructing the course of justice.
7. It is also settled law that at the time of consideration of anticipatory bail application, it is neither necessary nor desirable to weigh the evidence meticulously to arrive at a positive finding as to whether or not the accused (petitioner) has committed the alleged offences. What is to be seen is whether there is a reasonable ground for believing that accused (petitioner) is not guilty of the offences he is charged with.
8.The Court has to strike a balance between the rights of the accused (petitioner) to his liberty and the interest of the society. Liberty of an accused (petitioner) cannot be snatched unreasonably for an uncertain time only on the basis of mere allegations.
9. After taking into consideration the aforementioned factors, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to fulfilment of the conditions stipulated in paragraph No.10 by him. 10.Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of 3/6
a copy of this order, before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.III, Thoothukudi on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen 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 condition 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 report before the respondent police 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 petitioner released on bail by the 4/6
learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji Vs. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; and ;
(f)if the accused/petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A IPC.
11.Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is ordered. sd/- 08/05/2024 / TRUE COPY / /05/2024 Sub-Assistant Registrar ( C.S. I / II / III / IV ) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.
PNM TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE NO.III THOOTHUKUDI.
2 DO THROUGH THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT.
3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, ALL WOMEN POLICE STATION, PUDUKOTTAI THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT.
4 THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, MADURAI.
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+1 CC to M/s.R.ANAND, Advocate ( SR-5344[I] dated 08/05/2024 )
ORDER
IN CRL OP(MD) No.7022 of 2024 Date :08/05/2024 SA/JGB/SAR. /17.05.2024/6P/6C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023. 6/6