Crl.O.P.No.17732 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 09.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Crl.O.P.No.17732 of 2026 Senthilnathan ... Petitioner Vs. The State of Tamil Nadu, represented by, The Sub-Inspector of Police, Voimedu Police Station, Nagapattinam District. (Crime No.155 of 2024) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.155 of 2024 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.V.Ramamurthy For Respondent : Ms.R.S.Indira Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.17732 of 2026 O R D E R The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 194(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, @ Sections 85, 108 r/w. Section 3(5) of BNS, in Crime No.155 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the wife of the petitioner committed suicide by hanging on 04.09.2024 due to dowry harassment. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that his wife was in depression as she could not procure a child and unfortunately, she has taken such a decision. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.17732 of 2026 4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the petitioner demanded dowry, due to which, she committed suicide. 5. Taking into consideration the totality of the circumstances, and the submission that the petitioner’s wife was in depression as she could not bear a child and therefore, she committed suicide and that the occurrence took place on 04.09.2024, this Court is of the firm view that, at this length of time, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions. 6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on 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 District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Vedaranyam, 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: 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.17732 of 2026 (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 shall report before the respondent Police, daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation; (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 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]; 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.17732 of 2026 (e) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 09.07.2026 ssb To 1.The learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Vedaranyam. 2.The Sub-Inspector of Police, Voimedu Police Station, Nagapattinam District. 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.17732 of 2026 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. ssb Crl.O.P.No.17732 of 2026 09.07.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis