CRL OP No. 18261 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 14-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 18261 of 2026 1. Sangeetha 2. Prathap ..Petitioner(s) Vs The Special Sub Inspector of Police Anakkavoor Police Station, Tiruvannamalai. Crime No.64 of 2026 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023 praying to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest by the respondent police concerned in Crime NO.64 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner(s): Kasirajan S For Respondent(s): MS.R.S.INDIRA, GOVT.ADVOCATE (CRL.SIDE) ORDER The petitioners apprehend arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 303(2) and 326(a) of BNS, 2023 in Crime No. 64 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police seek anticipatory bail. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18261 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 6 2. The case of the prosecution is that on 26.06.2026, when the respondent police were on regular patrol duty, they found that the petitioners illegally transported 4 units of lake sand in two tipper lorries bearing registration No.TN 32 J 9078 and TN 09 BT 1023. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioners are innocent and they have not committed any offence as alleged by the de facto complainant and they have been falsely implicated in this case. He also submits that co-accused/A1 and A2 in this case were already enlarged on bail by the lower court. He further submitted that they are ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court and ready to co-operate with the investigation. Hence, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the petitioners illegally transported 4 units of lake sand in two tipper lorries. Hence, she opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 5. I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions and perused the materials available on record. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18261 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 6 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, taking note of the submissions made by the learned counsel on both sides, it is seen that accused/A1 and A2 in this case were already enlarged on bail by the lower court. Though this Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as serious offence, taking into consideration of the fact that co- accused were enlarged on bail and upon the fond hope that they would mend themselves in future and would not come under the adverse notice of the respondent, this Court is inclined to enlarge them 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 (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court, Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai on condition that the petitioners shall execute a separate 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 petitioners 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 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18261 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 6 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.1,40,000/- (Rupees one lakh forty thousand only) in favour of the ‘The Chairman/District Collector, The District Mineral Foundation Trust of Tiruvannamalai District’, (Non refundable) before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court, Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai; (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 petitioners shall report before the respondent Police, everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation; (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 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]; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18261 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 6 (g) If the petitioners thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 14-07-2026 NR To: 1. The Judicial Magistrate Court, Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai 2. The Special Sub Inspector of Police Anakkavoor Police Station, Tiruvannamalai. 3. The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18261 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 6 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. NR CRL OP No. 18261 of 2026 14-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis