CRL OP No. 18677 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. 18677 of 2026 P Manikandan 5/354, Panangadu, Komarapalayam Namakkal District ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep By, The Inspector of Police Puduchatram Police Station, Namakkal. Crime No.121 of 2026 ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of BNSS, pleased to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the event of arrest in connection with Crime No.121 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner(s): M/S. Venkatkannan A.P For Respondent(s): MR.N.PALANIVEL, GOVT.ADVOCATE (CRL.SIDE) ORDER The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offences under Sections 9 and 10 of Child Marriage Act, in Crime No.121 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the defacto complainant (mother of the victim girl) lodged a complaint on 21.05.2026, alleging that her daughter https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18677 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 6 ( the victim girl) had developed love and affair with the petitioner. Consequently the defacto complainant reprimanded both, her daughter the petitioner, directing them to discontinue their relationship. Subsequently the victim girl was missing. Hence the case 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that initially a girl missing complaint was registered and subsequently the case was altered from an offence under Section 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 to Sections 9 and 10 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. It is further submitted that the victim, who is a first-year college student, had eloped with the petitioner. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case and he is ready to cooperate the investigation. Accordingly he prayed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the statement of the victim under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 was recorded, wherein there is a reference only to the solemnization of the marriage between the victim and the petitioner, and beyond that there are no other allegations against the petitioner. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18677 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 6 5. This Court considered the rival submissions. Considering the fact that there are no other allegations against the petitioner except the solemnization of the marriage with the victim, this Court is of the firm view that the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail, subject to the following 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 Additional Mahila Court, Namakkal, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (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 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 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18677 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 6 police daily at 10.30 am for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required; (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]; (e) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 16-07-2026 JRS https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18677 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 6 To 1. The Addl. Mahila Court, Namakkal. 2. The Inspector of Police Puduchatram Police Station, Namakkal. Crime No.121 of 2026 3. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18677 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 6 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. JRS CRL OP No. 18677 of 2026 16-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis