Crl.O.P.No.15700 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 20.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Crl.O.P.No.15700 of 2026 Umadevi ... Petitioner Vs. The State of Tamil Nadu, represented by, The Inspector of Police, CCB Avadi City, Avadi, Chennai. (Crime No.120 of 2025) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event of her arrest in Crime No.120 of 2025 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Arunkumar For Respondent : Mr.N.Palanivel Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.15700 of 2026 O R D E R The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 316(2) and 318(4) of BNS, 2023, in Crime No.120 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail. 2. The allegation against the petitioner is that by showing the properties standing in the name of the petitioner, the first accused, who is the husband of the petitioner, has collected a sum of Rs.29,00,000/- from seven persons. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and that she has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that no amount was received by her and only on the reason that she is the wife of A1 and the first accused showing the properties of the petitioner has received the amount, the petitioner has been arrayed as an accused. Hence, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.15700 of 2026 4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, submitted that Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 was invoked against the first accused and the petitioner, being the wife of the first accused, knows every thing and in whose name the properties stand. Unless she is taken into custody, the layering of money could not be unearthed. Hence, he opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5. Though such a submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police is attractive one, no amount was transacted by this petitioner and only upon the fact that she being the wife of the first accused and the properties stand in the name of the petitioner, she has been arrayed as accused and that the occurrence is of the year 2025, this Court is of the firm view that, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions. 6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on her appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Judicial 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.15700 of 2026 Magistrate No.I, Ponamallee, 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 being a woman shall report before the respondent Police as and when required for interrogation; (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]; 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.15700 of 2026 (e) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 20.07.2026 ssb To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.I, Ponamallee. 2.The Inspector of Police, CCB Avadi City, Avadi, Chennai. 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.15700 of 2026 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. ssb Crl.O.P.No.15700 of 2026 20.07.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis