CRL OP(MD)No.14915 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 21.07.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR CRL OP(MD)No.14915 of 2026 Chithradevi ... Petitioner / Accused No.1 Versus The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep by the Inspector of Police, Villur Police Station, Madurai District. (Crime No.61 of 2026) ... Respondent/Complainant PRAYER :-Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest in Crime No.61 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, or on his appearance. For Petitioner : Mr.C.Jeya Prakash For Respondent : Mr.J.Vishnu Government Advocate (Criminal Side) 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD)No.14915 of 2026 ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner, who apprehends arrest in connection with Crime No.61 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 314, 316(4), 316(5), 318, 336(3), 336(4) and 344 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, seeks the relief of anticipatory bail. 2. The case of the prosecution is that, while serving as the Panchayat Secretary, the petitioner allegedly fabricated official records and misappropriated a sum of Rs.21,375/- being the property tax collected from the public. Based on the said allegations, the present case has been registered against the petitioner. 3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that a false case has been foisted against the petitioner. He further submitted that the entire alleged misappropriated amount has already been deposited with the concerned authority. He further submitted that there are no previous cases against the petitioner. He also submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation and 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD)No.14915 of 2026 abide by any condition that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for the grant of anticipatory bail. 4. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that though the alleged misappropriated amount has since been deposited, the case involves fabrication of official records. He further submitted that there are no previous cases against the petitioner. He also submitted that the investigation in the present case is still in progress and, therefore, opposed the grant of anticipatory bail. 5. This Court has carefully considered the rival submissions and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the nature of the allegations, the fact that the alleged misappropriated amount has already been deposited and the fact that the petitioner has no previous criminal antecedents, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD)No.14915 of 2026 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 made ready, before the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Peraiyur, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate concerned and on further conditions that: (a) the petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity; (b) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of two weeks, and thereafter as and when required for the interrogation; (c) the petitioner shall furnish specimen signatures and thumb impressions, if required by the Investigating Officer, for the purpose of investigation. (d) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD)No.14915 of 2026 (e) the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; (f) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/ Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji Vs. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; and (g) if the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS, 2023. 21.07.2026 pal To 1.The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Peraiyur. 2.The Inspector of Police, Villur Police Station, Madurai District. 3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD)No.14915 of 2026 K. RAJASEKAR ,J. pal ORDER IN CRL OP(MD) No.14915 of 2026 Date : 21.07.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis