M. Balamurugan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 03/09/2025 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY M.Balamurugan S/o.Muniyasamy ..Petitioner/ Accused No.11 Vs State of Tamilnadu through The Inspector of Police, CCB Police Station, Madurai City.

(Crime No.27 of 2025) .. Respondent/Complainant For Petitioners : Mr.D.Karthikraja Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.Thiruvadi Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.483 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Bail in Crime No.27 of 2025 on the file of the Respondent Police. 1/6

ORDER : This Court made the following order :- The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 17.07.2025 for the offences punishable under Sections 409, 465,466,468,477A of IPC and 66C, 66D of Information Technology Act, 2000 in Crime No.27 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner working as a Data Entry Operator on contract basis. The Commissioner of Madurai Corporation found some irregularities in the records. An audit also found that the property tax of 150 buildings had been deliberately reduced without proper procedures and their review uncovered irregularities in the records of UTIS, an online property tax management platform. They accepted bribes to lower taxes witout proper authorisation. After notice were issued,Bill Collectors were suspended. Hence, Loss of Rs.1.50/- Crores caused to the Madurai Corporation for the past two years. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. Only the statistical purpose the present case has been put against the petitioner. He 2/6

would further submit that the petitioner is in custody from 17.07.2025. Hence, he seeks bail.

4.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the petitioner working as a Data Entry Operator on contract basis. The Commissioner of Madurai Corporation found some irregularities in the records. An audit also found that the property tax of 150 buildings had been deliberately reduced without proper procedures and their review uncovered irregularities in the records of UTIS, an online property tax management platform. They accepted bribes to lower taxes witout proper authorisation. After notice were issued,Bill Collectors were suspended. Hence, Loss of Rs.1.50/- Crores caused to the Madurai Corporation for the past two years. However, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

5. Taking into consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case and also considering the fact that since the petitioner is a Contract Labour/Temporary staff, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions:- 6.Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on executing a 3/6

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 Judicial Magistrate Court No.I, Madurai, and on further conditions that :- [a] 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 petitioner shall furnish her residential address and mobile number to the learned Judicial Magistrate Court No.I, Madurai. [c] If the petitioner changes her residential address, he shall report the same to the learned Judicial Magistrate Court No.I, Madurai. [d] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

[e] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[f] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[g] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the 4/6

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

sd/- 03/09/2025 / TRUE COPY / /09/2025 Sub-Assistant Registrar ( C.S. II ) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

rjr TO 1 The Judicial Magistrate Court No.I, Madurai.

2 Do Through The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai District.

3 The Officer Incharge, Sub Jail, Virudhunagar.

4 The the Inspector of Police, Ccb Police Station, Madurai .

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

+3 CC to M/s.J.ANIMESH, Advocate ( SR-9562[I] dated 03/09/2025 )

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.14459 of 2025 Date :03/09/2025 NM/03.09.2025/ 6P/9C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023 6/6