CRL OP No. 21702 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 07-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 21702 of 2026 Gururaj @ Vijayaragavan ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep. by, The Inspector of Police Thiruvennainallur Police Station, Villupuram District. Crime No.373 of 2026. ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of BNSS Act, 2023, pleased to enlarge the Petitioner on Anticipatory Bail in the event of apprehending arrest in the Cr.No.373 of 2026 pending on the file of the Respondent Police Station. For Petitioner(s): Mr.Vivek A For Respondent(s): M/s.R.S.Indira Government Advocate(Criminal side) ORDER The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 303(2), 326(a) of BNS in Crime No.373 of 2026, on the file of the respondent Police, seeks anticipatory bail. 2. The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner along with other accused was illegally transporting 1/4 unit of river sand in a bullock cart. Hence, the case. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 21702 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 4 3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court and is willing to co-operate for investigation. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, upon instructions, submitted that no previous cases have been registered against the petitioner. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5. I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and also perused the records available. 6. According to the submissions made by the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), the petitioner does not have any previous cases. Although, this Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as a serious offence, taking into consideration the fact that the petitioner has no previous case, and upon the fond hope that he would mend himself in future and would not come under the adverse notice of the https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 21702 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 4 respondent, this Court is inclined to enlarge him on anticipatory bail, 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 District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvennainallur, 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; (c) The petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 21702 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 4 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. (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. 07-08-2026 ep To 1.The District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruvennainallur. 2.The Inspector of Police Thiruvennainallur Police Station, Villupuram District. 3.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras. CRL OP No. 21702 of 2026 (2/2) https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis