Ponnaiah v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Nerkuppai

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 20.05.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR

1. Ponnaiah

2. Saravanakumar

...Petitioners/Accused 2 & 29

Vs State of Tamil Nadu rep. by The Inspector of Police, Nerkuppai Police Station, Sivagangai.

(Crime No. 50 of 2026 )

...Respondent/Complainant

For Petitioners : Mr.R.Sathis Kumari Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabhahar Additional Public Prosecutor PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.483 of BNSS PRAYER :- 1/7

For Bail in Cr.No. 50 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police. ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner / Accused, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 23.04.2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 191(2), 191(3), 296(b), 131, 132, 125, 118(1), & 351(3) of BNS, read with Section 3(1) of Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1922, in Crime No.50 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seek bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that while the de-facto complainant was sitting and talking with his friends, the petitioners, along with the other accused, approached the de-facto complainant with weapons, assaulted him, and threatened him as well as his friends with dire consequences. They further caused damage to two vehicles belonging to the de-facto complainant. Hence, the present case.

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3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent persons and have not committed any offences as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioners are ready and willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. He further submitted that some of the co-accused were granted anticipatory bail by this Court in Crl.O.P.(MD) No.9204 of 2026 dated 06.05.2026. Hence, he seeks bail to the petitioners.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police submitted that it is a case, case in counter. He further submitted that due to a temple dispute, the accused persons assaulted the de-facto complainant and others, threatened them, and caused damage to the vehicles parked there. As a result, 21 persons were injured, including one police officer. He also submitted that the injured persons have been discharged from the hospital. However, he opposed the grant of bail to the petitioners. 3/7

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also the fact that the issue pertains to a temple dispute, and that it is a case, case in counter, and that the injured persons have already been discharged from the hospital, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioners, subject to certain conditions.

6. Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, on condition that the petitioners 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 District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Singampunari, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy was made ready and on further conditions that:

[a] the petitioners and the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhaar card or bank pass book to ensure their 4/7

identity;

[b] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of one week and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation;

[c] the petitioners shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[d] the petitioners 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 in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners is 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 5/7

5560].

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS. (R V J) 20.05.2026 apd To 1.The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Singampunari.

2.The Inspector of Police, Nerkuppai Police Station, Sivagangai.

3. The Superintendent, Sub Jail, Madurai.

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

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R.VIJAYAKUMAR, J apd

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No. 9511 of 2026 Date : 20.05.2026 7/7