Crl.O.P.No.18777 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 16.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Crl.O.P.No.18777 of 2026 1.Ananth 2.Ramesh 3.Gururaj 4.Archunan 5.Arumugam 6.Udayaraj 7.Teja ... Petitioners Vs. The State Rep. by The Inspector of Police, Ulundurpet Police Station, Kallakurichi District. Crime No.341 of 2026 ... Respondent 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 their arrest in Crime No.341 of 2026 pending on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioners : Mr.T.Balachandran For Respondent : Mr.N.Palanivel, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.18777 of 2026 O R D E R The petitioners were apprehend arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 303(2) of BNS Act 2023, r/w 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957, in Crime No.341 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail. 2. The allegation against the petitioners is that they were involved in the illegal transportation of 15 units of lake sand without a valid permit or licence. They were allegedly caught red-handed by the respondent police using five tipper lorries, a TATA Hitachi excavator, and a JCB. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent and have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and that they have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioners are ready to co-operate with the investigation. Hence, he prayed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and vehemently opposed the 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.18777 of 2026 anticipatory bail application, submitting that the petitioners had illegally transported 15 units of lake sand. He further submitted that the petitioners have no previous cases. 5. Taking into consideration of the totality of the circumstances, this Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as a serious offence, taking into consideration the fact that the petitioners have no previous cases, and upon the fond hope that they would mend themselves in the 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. 6. Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on anticipatory 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 made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Ulundurpet, Kallakurichi District, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions: 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.18777 of 2026 (a) If the petitioners fails to surrender before the concerned 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 petitioners/accused are directed to produce a demand draft for a sum of Rs.68,000/- (Rupees Sixty-Eight Thousand only) each [totaling Rs.4,76,000/- (Rupees Four Lakh Seventy-Six Thousand only)] in favour of ‘The Chairman / District Collector, The District Mineral Foundation Trust of Kallakurichi District’, (Non refundable) before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Ulundurpet, Kallakurichi District; (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. 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.18777 of 2026 (e) The petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of four weeks; (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 petitioners 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 petitioners thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 16.07.2026 cda To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.I, Ulundurpet, Kallakurichi District. 2.The Inspector of Police, Ulundurpet Police Station, Kallakurichi District. 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.18777 of 2026 C.KUMARAPPAN.J. cda Crl.OP.No.18777 of 2026 16.07.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis