CRL OP No. 18401 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 21-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 18401 of 2026 Maharajan @ Maharajan Pandian S/o.Subburaj, No.481, East Street, Karumbalai, Alavandan, Gandhi Nagar, Madurai, Tamilnadu - 625 020. ..Petitioner(s) Vs The Inspector of Police V-1, Villivakkam Police Station, Chennai. Crime No.481 of 2026. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: This Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of BNSS, praying to grant Anticipatory Bail to the petitioner in the event of his arrest in Crime No.481 of 2026 pending investigation before the Respondent and to pass such other suitable orders as may deem fit. For Petitioner(s): Mr.M.S.Vigneswaran For Respondent(s): Mr.N.Palanivel Government Advocate (Crl.Side) https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18401 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 5 ORDER The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offences under Sections 318(4) and 316(2) of BNS in Crime No.481 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the de facto complainant entrusted his motor car to the accused based on the representation that the vehicle would be sold at a higher market value. However, the accused subsequently sold the vehicle to a third party without the knowledge or consent of the de facto complainant, there by cheated the defacto complainant. Hence the complaint. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and a false case has been foisted against the petitioner and that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that he is no way connected with the theft of the vehicle. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the case of the prosecution and strongly opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner on the ground that the vehicle is yet to be recovered. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18401 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 5 5. In view of the facts and circumstances of the case and that the matter involves the theft of a vehicle and considering the fact that the vehicle is yet to be recovered, this Court is of the opinion that enlarging the petitioner on bail at this stage would impede the recovery process. Hence, this Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 6. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 21-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No MFA https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18401 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 5 To 1. The Inspector of Police V-1, Villivakkam Police Station, Chennai. 2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Chennai. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18401 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 5 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. MFA CRL OP No. 18401 of 2026 21-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis