Crl.O.P.No.18741 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 23.07.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Crl.O.P.No.18741 of 2026 Arivarasu ... Petitioner Vs. The Inspector of Police, Metupalayam Police Station, Coimbatore District. (Crime No.339 of 2026) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.339 of 2026 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.H.Rajasekar For Intervenor : Mr.R.Madhubala For Respondent : Mrs.R.S.Indira, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) O R D E R The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 353(2) and 356(2) of BNS, 2023, in Crime No.339 of 2026, on the file of the respondent Police, seeks anticipatory bail. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.18741 of 2026 2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner uploaded a video on his Facebook account containing false and derogatory allegations against an MLA, which allegedly created enmity between the cadres of different political parties and disturbed public harmony. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner belongs to the DMK party and the de facto complainant is an MLA of the ruling party. The allegation against the petitioner is that he uploaded certain defamatory videos. He further submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution, and that he has been falsely implicated in this case. Hence, he prayed for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned counsel for the intervenor submitted that the petitioner has repeatedly uploaded the video. However, it is the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the video contains only a political statement and no defamatory statement. Hence, the learned counsel for the intervenor opposed the grant of anticipatory bail. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.18741 of 2026 5. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner has no previous cases. 6. Taking into consideration the totality of the circumstances and the fact that the petitioner has no criminal antecedents, this Court is of the firm view that, at this length of time, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, 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 (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Mettupalayam, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a 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: (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; 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.18741 of 2026 (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 shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of two weeks; (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]; (e) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 23.07.2026 cda 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.18741 of 2026 To 1.The Judicial Magistrate, Mettupalayam. 2.The Inspector of Police, Metupalayam Police Station, Coimbatore District. 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.18741 of 2026 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. cda Crl.O.P.No.18741 of 2026 23.07.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis