Megamuthu v. The State Of Tamilnadu Rep By The Inspector Of Police, Awps-Pudukottai

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 17.04.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P. DHANABAL Megamuthu ...Petitioners/Accused No.1 Vs State of Tamil Nadu rep. by The Inspector of Police, AWPS Pudukottai Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

(Crime No. 04 of 2026)

...Respondent/Complainant

For Petitioner :Mr.D.Mathavan Advocate.

For Respondent :Mr.B.Nambi Selvan Additional Public Prosecutor PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Cr.No.04 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police.

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner/Accused No.1, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent for the 1/7

offences punishable under Sections 5 (l) r/w 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, and Sections 9 and 10 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, in Crime No.04 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner and the victim girl are close relatives. On 07.02.2026, the marriage between the petitioner and the victim girl was solemnized at VGR Mahal, Pudukottai. Thereafter, the petitioner and the victim girl travelled to a relative's house in kerala for a post marital function.

Thereafter, the defacto complainant/child Welfare Officer lodged a complaint. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is the maternal uncle 2/7

of victim girl. He would further submit that the petitioner is an innocent and he was falsely implicated in this case and he is no way connected in the above said incident. He has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent Police would submit that the marriage between the petitioner and the victim girl was solemnized on 07.02.2026 at VGR Mahal, Pudukottai. He would further submit that the petitioner has no previous case. He would further submit that the investigation is pending and the offences are grave in nature. Hence, he opposes to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

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5. This Court heard both sides and perused the materials available on record, including the statement of the victim recorded under Section 183 of BNSS, 2023.

6. Considering the rival submissions on either side and the nature of offences charged against the petitioner and and considering the facts that the statement of the victim was recorded under Section 183 of BNSS, 2023 and the alleged occurrence took place on 08.02.2026, however the date of FIR is on 28.02.2026 and hence, there is a delay in filing FIR and the petitioner has no previous case, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions:

[a] Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on anticipatory bail on condition to execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand 4/7

only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.III, Thoothukudi, and on further conditions that:

[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30.

a.m., until further orders.

[c] the petitioner shall not commit any offences of similar nature.

[d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[e] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[f] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Judicial 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 5/7

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)AIR SCW 5560].

[g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 B.N.S.

(P D B J) 17.04.2026 vsg To 1.The learned Judicial Magistrate No.III, Thoothukudi.

2.The Inspector of Police, AWPS Pudukottai Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

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

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P. DHANABAL, J., vsg

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No. 7550 of 2026 Date : 17.04.2026 7/7