CRL OP No. 20126 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 28-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 20126 of 2026 1. Sarath 2. M. Priyanka ..Petitioner(s) Vs State Rep by, The Inspector of Police B4, Sevvapet Police Station, Avadi, Tiruvallore District. Cr.No. 0202/2025 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023, to enlarge on bail to the petitioners in the event of their arrest in Crime No. 202 of 2025 pending on the file of respondent Police. For Petitioner(s): Mr. T.V.G. Kartheeban For Respondent(s): Mr.N.Palanivel, Govt.Advocate (Crl.Side) ORDER The petitioners apprehend arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 403, 420, 465, 468 and 471 of IPC in Crime No.202 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police seek anticipatory bail. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 20126 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 5 2. The case of the prosecution is that, during the year 2022, the petitioners, along with the other accused, induced the de facto complainant to part with a sum of Rs.4,00,000/- on the false promise of securing a Government job as an Office Assistant in the Tiruvallur Government Hospital. It is alleged that fake appointment documents and an identity card were furnished to the de facto complainant to lend credibility to the promise. Though a sum of Rs.57,000/- was subsequently repaid, the balance amount of Rs.3,43,000/- was not returned despite repeated demands. Hence, the complaint. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent and they have not committed any offence as alleged by the defacto complainant and they have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that they are 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 petitioners. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 5. From the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on either side, it is seen that this is a case relating to job racketing, in which there are four https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 20126 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 5 accused. According to the prosecution, the petitioners received a sum of Rs.4,00,000/- from the de facto complainant on the promise of securing a job in the Tiruvallur Government Hospital. The very fact that the de facto complainant approached a private individual who had no connection whatsoever with Government employment is, by itself, a relevant circumstance to be taken into consideration in the present case. Though the allegations disclose a serious offence involving cheating to the tune of Rs.4,00,000/-, considering the fact that the second petitioner is a woman and that the occurrence took place in the year 2022, this Court is of the view that, at this length of time, the custodial interrogation of the petitioners is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners, subject to certain conditions. 6. Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on 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 is made ready, before the Judicial Magistrate Court No.2, Thiruvallur Combined Court, Thiruvallur District on condition that each of the petitioners 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 petitioners fail 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 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 20126 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 5 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 shall report before the respondent Police 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 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]; (e) If the petitioners thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 28-07-2026 KV To 1. The Inspector of Police B4, Sevvapet Police Station, Avadi, Tiruvallore District. 2. The Judicial Magistrate Court No.2, Thiruvallur Combined Court, Thiruvallur District. 3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 20126 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 5 C.KUMARAPPAN J. KV CRL OP No. 20126 of 2026 28-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis