Ramalingam, v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Arumuganeri

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 16/02/2026 PRESENT The HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY 1.Ramalaingam 2.Ramilaselvi ... Petitioners/Accused Vs The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep By,The Inspector of Police, Arumuganeri Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

Cr.No.392 of 2025.

... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioners : Mr.D.S.Haroon Rasheed For Respondent : Mr.S.S.Manoj, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PRAYER :- C-33AB.For Anticipatory Bail in Cr.No.392 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the 1/6

hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 296(b), 132 and 351(2) of BNS, [corresponding offence under sections 294(b), 353 and 506(i) of IPC], in Crime No.392 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the defacto complainant is working as a Watchman of overhead Water tank at Arumuganeri Municipality. Since there is a complaint regarding the scarcity of drinking water, he went to verify the same and found that the accused by using electric motor, received drinking water for his personal purpose. When the defacto complainant questioned the same, the petitioners along with other accused persons have abused the defacto complainant in filthy language and attacked him and criminally intimidated him. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent persons 2/6

and they have not committed any offences as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioners are ready and willing to abide by any conditions which may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) submitted that A1 was already arrested and remanded to judicial custody. However, he opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

5. Since A1 was already arrested and remanded to judicial custody, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed as against A1.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the 2nd petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

7.Accordingly, the 2nd petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his 3/6

appearance, 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 Judicial Magistrate, Tiruchendur, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy is made ready and on further conditions that:

[a]the 2nd petitioner 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 2nd petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m, for a period of one week and thereafter as and when required;

[c]the 2nd petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

[d]the 2nd petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or 4/6

trial;

[e]On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned 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 is 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.

16.02.2026 PJL TO

1. Judicial Magistrate,Tiruchendur.

2.The Inspector of Police, Arumuganeri Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

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

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S.SRIMATHY,J PJL

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.22547 of 2025 Date : 16/02/2026 6/6