Rajendraprasad v. The State Of Tamilnadu Rep. By

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 09/02/2026 PRESENT The HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Rajendraprasad ... Petitioner/Accused Vs The State of Tamilnadu Rep., By, the Inspector of Police, Sipcot Police Station, Thoothukudi.

(Crime No.240 of 2025). ... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : Mr. Pitchai Muthu.M For Respondent : Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar, Additional Public Prosecutor PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.483 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Bail in Crime No. 240 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police. 1/6

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 26.11.2025 for the offences punishable under Section 316(2) of BNS, in Crime No.240 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the defacto complainant, on 11.12.2024, leased his vehicle to the petitioner for a monthly lease amount of Rs. 62,500/-. After paying two instalments, the petitioner failed to pay the subsequent lease amount and refused to return the vehicle. The petitioner ignored the defacto complainant and his phone calls, and when he could later be contacted, the defacto complainant came to know that the vehicle had been fitted with a fake licence plate. Thus, the petitioner received the vehicle from the defacto complainant and defrauded him. It is further stated that the value of the vehicle is Rs. 19,10,000/-. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offences 2/6

as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is in judicial custody from 26.11.2025. Hence, he seeks bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the offence committed by the accused are serious in nature. Therefore, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and that the defacto complainant and one Annavimuthu are the culprits. Considering the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court directed the prosecution to re-investigate the case and to file a status report. Today, the respondent has filed a status report stating that the petitioner had taken the vehicle and subsequently sold it in parts. Considering the fact that the investigation has been completed and also considering the period of incarceration suffered by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions: 3/6

6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on executing 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 No.III, Thoothukudi, and on further conditions that :- [a] the 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 petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders. [c] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. [d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or 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 4/6

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 BNS.

(S S Y J) 09.02.2026 jbr TO

1. The Judicial Magistrate Court No.III, Thoothukudi.

2. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Palayamkottai.

3. The Inspector of Police, Sipcot Police Station, Thoothukudi.

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

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S.SRIMATHY,J jbr

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.23760 of 2025 Date : 09/02/2026 6/6