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Madras High CourtCRL OP(MD)/12245/2022partly allowed

Ponpandiyan v. The Inspector Of Police

2022-11-24Honourable Mr Justice A.A.Nakkiran4 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 24/11/2022 PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice A.A.NAKKIRAN

1. Ponpandiyan,

2. Murugesan,

3. Irulammal,

4. Niraipandiyan,

5. Karthiga,

6. Gurupandiyan, ... Petitioners/Accused Nos.1 to 6 Vs

1. State Rep.by , The Inspector of Police, AWPS - Thallakulam Police Station, Madurai City.

(Crime No. 33 of 2022).

...Respondent/Complainant

2. Nithyadevi, ...2nd Respondent (R2 Suo Motu impleaded as per order of this Court dated 07/07/2022 in Crl OP(MD)No.12245 of 2022) For Petitioners : M/s.Mahalakshmi S,Advocate For 1st Respondent : Mrs.M.Aasha, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) For 2nd Respondent : Mr.S.Krishnan, Advocate PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.438 of Cr.P.C PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No. 33 of 2022 on the file of the respondent Police.

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ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners/Accused 1 to 6, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 498(A), 294(b) and 406 of IPC, in Crime No.33 of 2022, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 2.The case of the prosecution is that the marriage between the first petitioner and the defacto complainant was solemnized on 10.03.2018. After marriage, the petitioners harassed the defacto complainant by demanding dowry and also threatened her with dire consequences. Hence, the complaint.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the first petitioner is the husband and other petitioners are in-laws of the defacto complainant. There was no harassment or cruelty as alleged by the prosecution. Only with a view to harass the petitioners and their family members, a false case has been foisted against them. He would further submit that the first petitioner filed the petition for dissolution of marriage in H.M.O.P.No.169 of 2021 before the Sub Court, Sivakasi and the same is pending. The petitioners are innocents and they have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. Hence, they may be granted anticipatory bail.

4.The learned Government Advocate (crl.side) appearing for the respondent police would submit it is a matrimonial dispute. Due to continuos harassment of the accused persons, this complaint was lodged by the defacto complainant and there is a specific allegation levelled against the petitioners. She would further submit that in this case, seven witnesses have been examined so far and the investigation is not yet completed. Hence, he opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

5.At this juncture, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners seek permission of this Court to not press this petition as against the first petitioner is concerned and he has also made an endorsement to that effect. In view of the same, this petition is dismissed as against the first petitioner is concerned. 6.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also considering the facts that it is a matrimonial dispute and the petitioners 2 to 5 are in-laws of the de-facto complainant and the sixth respondent is the husband of the fifth respondent and seven witnesses have already been examined, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners 2 to 6 with certain conditions.

(*)"7.Accordingly, the petitioners 2 to 6 are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or their appearance, within 2/4

a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Madurai, on condition that the petitioners 2 to 6 shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) each, with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the Police Officer, who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned and on further condition that:" (a)the petitioners 2 to 6 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 petitioners 2 to 6 shall report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation; (c)the petitioners 2 to 6 shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; (d)the petitioners 2 to 6 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 petitioners 2 to 4 in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 2 to 6 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]; and;

(f)if the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A IPC.

sd/- 24/11/2022 (*)MODIFIED AS PER ORDER OF THIS COURT DATED 04.01.2023 IN CRL OP(MD)NOS.12245 of 2022 / TRUE COPY / /01/2023 Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S.) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

CMR TO TO BE SUBSTITUTED WITH THE ORDER DATED 24/11/2022 ALREADY DESPATCHED 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE NO.II, MADURAI.

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2 DO THROUGH:

THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, MADURAI DISTRICT.

3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE AWPS - THALLAKULAM POLICE STATION, MADURAI CITY THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, MADURAI.

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.12245 of 2022 Date :24/11/2022 cp PKP/BUC/SAR-3/05.12.2022/4P/5C PKP/MMS/SAR-2/10.01.2023/4P/5C 4/4