CRL OP No. 20503 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 29-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE Mr.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 20503 of 2026 Shantha Kumar S/o. Godhandapani, No.12, 16th Cross street, Shenoy Nagar Chennai 600 030 ..Petitioner(s) Vs State by Inspector of Police Economic Offence Wing Chennai, Crime No.2 of 2024. ..Respondent(s) Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, praying to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest concerned in Crime No. 2/2024 pending of the file of the respondent and thus render Justice. For Petitioner(s): Mr.Athishayaa A For Respondent(s): Mr.N.Palanivel Government Advocate (Crl.Side) ****** ORDER The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 409, 420 r/w 34 of IPC in Crime No.2 of 2024 on the file of the https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 20503 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 4 respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail. 2. The allegation against the petitioner is that he has pledged imitation jewellery weighing 71.20 grams and received a sum of Rs.1,40,000/-. Hence, the complaint. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that he is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court and ready to co-operate with the investigation. Hence, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, upon instructions, submitted that the above amount was recovered. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5.At this juncture, the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that co-accused have already been released on bail vide orders dated 13.02.2025, 27.02.2025 & 28.02.2025. 6. Considering the above facts and circumstances of the case, taking note of the fact that the occurrence took place during 2024, co-accused have already https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 20503 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 4 been released on bail and the amount has already been recovered, this Court is of the 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 II Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, 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; (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; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 20503 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 4 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. KMI (c) The petitioner shall report before the respondent Police, everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two weeks, and thereafter, 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]; (e) If the petitioners thereafter absconds a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 7.This Criminal Original Petition is ordered accordingly. 29-07-2026 KMI To 1.The Judicial II Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore. 2.The Inspector of Police, Economic Offence Wing, Chennai. 3.The Public Prosecutor Madras High Court. CRL OP No. 20503 of 2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis