CRL OP No. 18530 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 7 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 18530 of 2026 Selvam S/o.Settu, No.7/226, Valadi Thoppu, Varakampaddy, Udayapatti, Kandashramam, Salem District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs State rep. by its, The Inspector of Police, Karipatty Police Station, Salem District. Crime No.148 of 2026 ..Respondent(s) Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, praying to enlarge the Petitioner on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.148 of 2026 on the file of the respondent and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s): M/s.W.Camyles Gandhi For Respondent(s): Mr.N.Palanivel, Govt.Advocate (Crl.Side) ******* https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18530 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 7 ORDER The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Section 303(2) of BNS r/w. Section 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957, in Crime No.148 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the accused persons have illegally stolen two units of gravel sand in a Tipper lorry. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and 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 and ready to co-operate with the investigation. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5.At this juncture, the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that in a connected case, the other accused was directed to be paid a sum of Rs.20,000/- in Crl.O.P.No.17124 of 2026. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18530 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 7 6.Though, this Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as serious offence, 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 petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Vazhapadi, 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: (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 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18530 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 7 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 is directed to make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.50,000/- [Rupees Fifty Thousand Only] directly to the credit of “the Director, Tamil Nadu Mediation and Conciliation Centre, High Court, Madras”, without prejudice to the rights of the defence before the Trial Court and the receipt shall be produced at the time of executing the bond; (d) 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; (e) 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 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18530 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 7 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]; (f) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 8.This Criminal Original Petition is ordered accordingly. 15-07-2026 KMI To 1.The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Vazhapadi. 2.The Inspector of Police, Karipatty Police Station, Salem District. 3.The Public Prosecutor Madras High Court. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18530 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 7 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. KMI CRL OP No. 18530 of 2026 15-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18530 of 2026 __________ Page7 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis