Ranjani v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police,

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. 12144 of 2026 V.Ranjani ... Petitioner Vs State of Tamil Nadu rep. by The Inspector of Police, Thillai Nagar Police Station, Trichy District.

(Crime No.100 of 2026)

...Respondents/Complainant

For Petitioner : Mr.R.L.Dilipan Pandian 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. 100 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 Sections 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 318(2), 337 of BNS, in Crime No.100 of 2026, on the file of the 1/5

respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner had approached the Departure Immigration Counter at Chennai International Airport for departure clearance to Malaysia. The Immigration Officer noticed electoral ink on her left index finger and upon enquiry, she admitted that she had cast her vote in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Election in the Trichy West Constituency using EPIC No.WJP1607423 on 23.04.2026. But she had entered India on an OCI Card. Hence, she is not eligible to cast her vote. 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 petitioner is not eligible to cast vote. There is no previous case against the petitioner. Investigation is still pending. He vehemently opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 2/5

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

6. Considering the rival submissions on either side and the nature of offences charged against the petitioner, there is no previous case for the petitioner, and also considering the 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 Judicial Magistrate No.IV, Trichy, 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., on every Saturday for a period of four weeks, thereafter as and when required for interrogation: [c] the petitioner shall not commit any offences of similar 3/5

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 589 B.N.S.

(P D B J) 24.06.2026 TM To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.IV, Trichy.

2.The Inspector of Police, Thillai Nagar Police Station, Trichy District.

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

4/5

P. DHANABAL, J.

TM

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No. 12144 of 2026 Date : 24.06.2026 5/5