Crl.O.P.No.16487 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 30.06.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Crl.O.P.No.16487 of 2026 Srikannan ... Petitioner Vs. The State Represented by, The Inspector of Police, Harur Police Station, Dharmapuri District. (Crime No.447 of 2025) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest in connection with Crime No.447 of 2025 on the file of respondent Police. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Jaisingh For Respondent : Mrs.R.S.Indira, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) O R D E R The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 303(2) of BNS, 2023 [Corresponding Section 379 of IPC] in Crime No.447 of 2025, on the file of the respondent Police, seeks anticipatory bail. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.16487 of 2026 2. The case of the prosecution is that the de facto complainant, who is an Assistant Director Department of Geology and Mining, Dharmapuri, lodged a complaint before the respondent police stating that, when they inspected the area near Maveripatti Karuppan Kovil, they found that the petitioner had illegally transported four units of normal stones in Ashok Leyland Tipper Lorry. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and that he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that he is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police opposed the anticipatory bail application and submitted that the petitioner has one previous case. 5. Taking into consideration of the totality of the circumstances, this Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as serious offence and upon the fond hope that he would mend himself in future 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.16487 of 2026 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. 6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on anticipatory bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court Genji, Thiruvannamalai, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty 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 fails 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 petitioner/accused is directed to produce a demand draft for a sum of Rs.90,000/- (Rupees Ninety Thousand Only) in favour of ‘The Chairman / District 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.16487 of 2026 Collector, The District Mineral Foundation Trust of Tiruvarur District’, (Non refundable) before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court Genji, Thiruvannamalai; (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. (e) The petitioner 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 petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner 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 petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 30.06.2026 cda 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.16487 of 2026 To 1.The Judicial Magistrate Court Genji, Thiruvannamalai. 2.The Inspector of Police, Harur Police Station, Dharmapuri District. 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.16487 of 2026 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. cda Crl.O.P.No.16487 of 2026 30.06.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis