CRL OP No. 19343 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 21.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 19343 of 2026 Somu ..Petitioner Vs The State, Rep. by the Inspector of Police, Gudiyatham Taluk Police Station, Vellore District. Crime No.144 of 2026. ..Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023 to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest in respect of Crime No.144 of 2026 on the file of the respondent Police, pending investigation. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Thirumoorthy For Respondent(s): Ms.R.S.Indira Government Advocate (Crl.Side) ORDER The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offence punishable under Sections 303(2) and 326 of BNS, 2023, (Sections 379 and 430 IPC) in Crime No.144 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 19343 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 6 2. The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner was involved in illegal transportation of one unit of river sand without any valid permit or licence by using a Tractor. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was innocent and that he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that he is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court and he is ready to co-operate for investigation. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, submitted that the petitioner has one previous case. Hence, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record. 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, that apart though the learned Government Advocate submitted that https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 19343 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 6 the petitioner has one previous case, it is not of similar in nature, 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 Judicial Magistrate, Gudiyatham, 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 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/accused is directed to produce a demand draft for a sum of Rs.35,000/- (Rupees Thirty Five Thousand only) in favour of ‘The Chairman/District Collector, The District Mineral Foundation Trust of Vellore District’, (Non refundable) before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Gudiyatham; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 19343 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 6 (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 petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 am 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 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]; (g) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 21.07.2026 ssb https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 19343 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 6 To 1. The Judicial Magistrate, Gudiyatham. 2. The Inspector of Police, Gudiyatham Taluk Police Station, Vellore District. 3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. 4. The Chairman/District Collector, The District Mineral Foundation Trust of Vellore District. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 19343 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 6 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. ssb CRL OP No. 19343 of 2026 21.07.2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis