Ananthalakshmi v. The State Of Tamil Nadu Rep. By
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 18/08/2025 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P. VADAMALAI and CRL MP(MD). No.10802 of 2025 1.Ananthalakshmi, D/o.Jeyaraj 2.Jeyaraj, S/o.Mayandi ... Petitioners/A1 & A2 Vs The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by, the Inspector of Police, Thiruppuvanam Police Station, Sivagangai District.
(Crime No.257 of 2023) ... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioners : Mr.A.Gnanasekar, Advocate For Respondent : Mr.S.Prakash, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) For Intervenor : Mr.S.Sukumar, Advocate for M/s.APN Law Associates PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.257 of 2023 on the file of the Respondent Police. 1/6
ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners/A1 & A2, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 294(b) and 506(ii) of IPC r/w. Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 in Crime No.257 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.
2. The case of the prosecution is that on 09.07.2023, at about 12.00 p.m., while the de-facto complainant was not present in his shop situated at Thiruppuvanam Market, the petitioners came to the spot carrying a petrol can, abused the de-facto complainant in filthy language by shouting his name, and threatened him with dire consequences. It is further alleged that the accused persons poured petrol on the defacto complainant's minor daughter and sat on the main road in front of the shop, thereby causing public panic and fear. Hence, the present case was registered.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the 1st petitioner was the wife of the de-facto complainant and the 2nd petitioner was the father-in-law of him. Due to matrimonial discord, the 1st petitioner and the de-facto complainant obtained a divorce through mutual consent by this Court in C.M.A. (MD)No.197 of 2021 on 28.06.2024. He submitted that the petitioners were already granted anticipatory bail by the learned Principal Sessions Judge, Sivagangai on 04.12.2023 in Crl.M.P.No.5327 of 2023. However, as the petitioners failed to comply 2/6
with the conditions imposed, the anticipatory bail was dismissed. He further submitted that the petitioners are innocent persons and have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He, however, submitted that the petitioners are willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail for the petitioners.
4. The learned counsel for the intervenor submitted that the de-facto complainant is running a jewellery shop. On 29.06.2023, at around 9 p.m., the petitioners approached the de-facto complainant and demanded a sum of Rs.1 Crore in exchange for handing over custody of their daughter. Since the defacto complainant refused, on 09.07.2023, while he was not present at his jewellery shop, the petitioners, along with two other accused, went to the shop and initiated a quarrel, during which A1 poured kerosene on herself and on the de-facto complainant's daughter, thereby threatening to set the child on fire. Further, she abused the de-facto complainant in filthy language and criminally intimidated him. Hence, he strongly opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners.
5. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. side) submitted that there are four accused persons in this case and the petitioners have been arrayed as A1 and A2. There are no previous cases registered against the petitioners. He further submitted that the entire investigation has been completed, and a charge sheet has been filed in 3/6
P.R.C.No.31 of 2025 on the file of the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thiruppuvanam. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.
6. Taking into consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case and the nature of the offence, and also taking note of the fact that the marriage of the 1st petitioner and the de-facto complainant was already dissolved by the Division Bench of this Court, and that the entire investigation in this case has been completed and a charge sheet has also been filed, this court is of the view that custodial interrogation of the petitioners is not necessary at this stage. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners, subject to certain conditions.
7. Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Tiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District on condition that the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five 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 District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Tiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that: 4/6
(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 Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity; (b) the petitioners shall furnish their residential address and mobile number to the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Tiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District. In the event of any change in their residential address, the petitioners shall report the same to the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Tiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District;
(c) the petitioners shall report before the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Tiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District daily at 10.00 a.m., except on holidays, until further orders;
(d) the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;
(e) the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; (f) 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 released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court themselves as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji Vs. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560] and; 5/6
(g) if the accused/petitioners thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS, 2023.
8. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed. Consequently, the connected Criminal Miscellaneous Petition is closed. sd/- 18/08/2025 / TRUE COPY / /09/2025 Sub-Assistant Registrar ( C.S. I / II / III / IV ) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.
mkn TO 1.The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Tiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District.
2.The Inspector of Police, Thiruppuvanam Police Station, Sivagangai District.
3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
+1 CC to M/s.G.ANTO PRINCE, Advocate ( SR-8941[I] dated 19/08/2025 ) ORDER IN CRL OP(MD) No.13274 of 2025 Date :18/08/2025 SBN/10.09.2025 6P/5C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023 6/6