CRL OP No. 16774 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. 16774 of 2026 1. Ramkumar Ramamurthy S/o.Ramamurthy, No.9/239,Kattu Kottai, Pachal Post, Ramanayakkanpatti, Namakkal – 637018. 2. Nithishkumar Ganeshan S/o.Ganeshan, No.9/144, Ramanaickenpatti, Pachal, Namakkal - 637018. 3. R.Logeswaran S/o.Ramasamy, No.3/123, Kudi Street, Kalyani, Namakkal - 637018. 4. Muthulakshmi Ramkumar W/o.Ramkumar, No.9/239, Kattu Kottai, Pachal Post, Ramanayakkanpatti, Namakkal - 637018. ..Petitioners/ Accused Nos. 1 to 4 Vs The State of Tamilnadu Rep. by No.9/239, Kattu Kottai, pachal post, Ramanayakkanpatti, namakkalThe Inspector of Police, Puduchatram Police Station, Namakkal District. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 16774 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 6 Crime no.155 of 2026. ..Respondent/ complainant Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023, to enlarge on bail in the event of his arrest pending investigation case in Crime no.155 of 2026 on the file of the Respondent. For Petitioner(s): M/S. M.Karthik For Respondent(s): MS.R.S.INDIRA, GOVT.ADVOCATE (CRL.SIDE) ORDER The petitioners, who apprehend arrest for the alleged offences under Section 303 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 in Crime No.155 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police seek anticipatory bail. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners transported 4 units of gravel mining in the Pachal Lake Area in a Tipper Lorry bearing registration No. TN 32 H 6570 and one JCB vehicle, without any valid permit or licence. It is alleged that the petitioners were caught red-handed by the respondent Police while transporting the Gravel sand illegally and fled the scene and abandoning the vehicles. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners were innocent and that they have been falsely implicated in this case. He further https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 16774 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 6 submitted that they are ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court and they are ready to co-operate for investigation. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, upon instructions, submitted that no previous cases have been registered against the petitioners. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record. 6. From the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) the petitioners do not have any previous cases. Though, this Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as serious offence, taking into consideration of the fact that he has no previous case, and upon the fond hope that he would mend himself in future and would not come under the adverse notice of the respondent, this Court is inclined to enlarge him on anticipatory bail, 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 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 16774 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 6 date on which the order copy is made ready, before the Judicial Magistrate Court No.2, Namakkal 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 learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions: (a) If the petitioners 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 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 petitioners are directed to produce a demand draft for a sum of Rs. 35,00/- [Rs1,40,000/4=Rs.35,000,/-] (Rupees Thirty five Thousand only) each in favour of the ‘The Chairman/District Collector, The District Mineral Foundation Trust of Namakkal District’, (Non refundable) before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court No-II, Namakkal District. (d) On production of the above Demand Draft, the learned Magistrate is directed to take necessary steps to hand over the same to the District Collector. Upon receipt of the said amount, the District Collector shall realise and utilise the same strictly in accordance with law and in terms of G.O.Ms.No.84, Natural Resources (MMD.1) Department, dated 16.12.2025; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 16774 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 6 (e) The petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 am for a period of four weeks; (f) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioners 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]; (g) If the petitioners thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 02-07-2026 JRS To 1. The Judicial Magistrate Court No.2, Namakkal district. 2. The Inspector of Police, Puduchatram Police Station, Namakkal District. Crime no.155 of 2026. 3. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 16774 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 6 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. JRS CRL OP No. 16774 of 2026 02-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis