CRL OP No. 16873 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 02-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 16873 of 2026 Ajay S/o Tamilvanan, No. 8, 4th Cross Street, Srilakshmi Nagar, Mettukuppam, Nerkundram, Chennai 600 107. ..Petitioner/ Accused Vs The State Rep By, The Inspector of Police K10, Koyambedu Police Station, Chennai. Crime No.0702 of 2026 ..Respondent/ Complainant Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023, to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the event of arrest in Crime No.0702 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner(s): Ms. S.Jim Raj Milton For Respondent(s): MS.R.S.INDIRA, GOVT.ADVOCATE (CRL.SIDE) ORDER The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offences under Section 303 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 in Crime No. 702 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 16873 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 6 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner committed theft of 60 centering sheets belonging to the defacto complainant, based on which the present case came to be registered. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that he is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court and he is ready to co-operate for investigation. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, upon instructions, submits that no previous cases have been registered against the petitioner. The learned Government Advocate (crl.side ) further submits that the defacto complainant was engaged in building construction work and was in possession of 120 centering sheets, in which the petitioner committed theft of 60 centering sheets belonging to the defacto complainant. However, she fairly submits that, subsequent to the registration of the case, the dispute has been amicably settled between the petitioner and the defacto complainant, and the petitioner has paid a sum of Rs.75,000/- towards settlement. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 16873 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 6 5. This Court has considered the submissions made on either side. 6. It is also brought to the notice of this Court that the petitioner has produced a copy of the letter addressed by the defacto complainant to the respondent police evidencing the settlement. In view of the subsequent development, namely the amicable settlement arrived at between the parties and the payment of Rs.75,000/- by the petitioner to the defacto complainant, this Court is of the view that custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required at this stage. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge him on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions. 7.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 is made ready, before the learned V Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions: (a) If the petitioner fail to surrender before the concerned learned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 16873 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 6 automatically cancelled; (b) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the application for surety ship (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify proofs to ensure their identity; (c) The petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 am for a period of four weeks; and thereafter as and when required. (d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; (e) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 02-07-2026 JRS https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 16873 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 6 To 1. The V Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore. 2.The Inspector of Police K10, Koyambedu Police Station, Chennai. Crime No.0702 of 2026 3. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 16873 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 6 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. JRS CRL OP No. 16873 of 2026 02-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis