Lingadurai v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Thilagar Thidal

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 21.05.2026 THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR 1.M.Lingadurai 2.R.Abhejeeth ... Petitioners Vs State of Tamil Nadu Rep.By, the Inspector of Police, AWPS Thilagar Thidal Police Station, Madurai District.

(Crime No.19 of 2026) ... Respondent PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.19 of 2026 on the file of the Respondent Police.

For Petitioner : Ms.B.Bhuvaneshvari For Respondent : Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/5

ORDER

The petitioners / accused Nos.1 & 2, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 69, 296(b) and 351(2) of BNS in Crime No.19 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail. 2.The case of the prosecution is that on 16.05.2026, the accused persons, giving anesthesia to the defacto complainant, had sexually assaulted her, took videos and photographs and subsequently, threatened her. Hence, the case.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent and they have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

4.The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police would submit that the offences are grave in nature 2/5

and hence, he strongly opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

5.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory 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 learned Judicial Magistrate-II, Madurai, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order 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 identity; [b] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; 3/5

[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 are 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];

[f]If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS.

21.05.2026 mm To 1.The Judicial Magistrate-II, Madurai.

2.The Inspector of Police, AWPS Thilagar Thidal Police Station, Madurai District.

3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 4/5

R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J mm CRL OP(MD) No.9695 of 2026 21.05.2026 5/5