CRL OP No. 18314 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 16-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 18314 of 2026 Mappillai Meeran ..Petitioner Vs State by The Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Erode,Erode District. Crime No.9 of 2025 ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the Petitioner on bail, pending investigation in Crime No.9 of 2025 on the file of the Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Erode, Erode District. For Petitioner: C.Prakasam For Respondent: Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 18.06.2026 for the alleged offence under Sections 408, 420 r/w 120(b) of IPC in Crime No.9 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18314 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 6 2. The case of the prosecution is that defacto complainant is a Zonal Manager of Vistaar Finance Private Limited where the petitioner and other accused were working as Customer Relationship Manager. It is alleged that during the internal audit in the year 2024, it is found that the petitioner along with other accused misappropriated the fund thereby, the company met with a loss to the tune of Rs.44.13 lakhs. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case and that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioner. 4. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the Respondent Police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the petitioner has been incarcerated since 18.06.2026. Hence, he opposed for grant of bail to the Petitioner. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18314 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 6 5. I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case; taking note of the submission made on either sides, the allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner, who is in the capacity of Customer Relationship Manager, cheated the defacto complainant company to the tune of Rs.44 lakhs. Though there is serious allegation against this petitioner, he has been incarcerated since 18.06.2026. Considering the period of incarceration of the petitioner since 18.06.2026, this Court is of the firm view that further custody of the petitioner is not required for the purpose of investigation. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions. 7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing 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 Judicial Magistrate-II, Erode, Erode District and on further conditions that: [a] 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 the identity proofs to ensure their identity; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18314 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 6 [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; [c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [e] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283]; [f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S. 16-07-2026 SHL Note: 1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court. 2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18314 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 6 To: 1. The Judicial Magistrate-II, Erode, Erode District. 2. The Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Erode,Erode District. 3. The Sub Jail, Erode,Erode District. 4. The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18314 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 6 C.KUMARAPPAN J. SHL CRL OP No. 18314 of 2026 16-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis