R.Lithesh @ R.Lithesh Bharani v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Awps-Annanagar

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 24.06.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P. DHANABAL CRL OP(MD). No. 12119 of 2026 R.Lithesh @ R.LIthesh Bharani ... Petitioner Vs State of Tamil Nadu rep. by The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Anna Nagar, Madurai City.

(Crime No.8 of 2026)

...Respondents/Complainant

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Ajith Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.N.Balasubramanian Counsel for State of TN (Crl. side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Cr.No. 8 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police.

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent for the offences punishable under Section 7, 8, 11(5), 12, 16 and 17 of the POCSO Act and Sections 318(4) and 351(2) of BNS, in Crime No.8 of 2026, on the file 1/6

of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the first accused become friend of the victim through instagram. He demanded her to sent her photographs. Using the photographs, he threatened her and demanded money. Due to which, she gave Rs.24,000/- and two small gold chains to him. During the meeting between the first accused and the victim, the petitioner accompanied with. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is 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 Government Advocate (Crl. Side) submits that the offences are grave in nature. The first accused became the friend of the victim girl through instagram. The petitioner accompanied with the first accused and demanded money by threatening her as if they will upload the photographs of the victim girl. The petitioner has no previous case. Investigation is still pending. He vehemently opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 2/6

5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

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Considering the rival submissions on either side and the nature of offences charged against the petitioner, that there is love affair between the first accused and the victim girl, the statement of the victim girl under Section 183(5) of BNS has also been recorded, the co-accused was arrested and released on bail, the petitioner has no previous case, and considering all other facts and circumstances of the 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 bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Sessions Judge, Principal Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Madurai, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.

10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned and on further condition that: [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police at 10.30 a.m.

thereafter as and when required for interrogation: [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 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) 24.06.2026 TM To 1.The Sessions Judge, Principal Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Madurai.

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2.The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Anna Nagar, Madurai City.

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

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P. DHANABAL, J.

TM

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No. 12119 of 2026 Date : 24.06.2026 6/6