CRL OP No. 21493 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 21493 of 2026 Santhakumar P. ..Petitioner Vs The State Rep By, The Inspector of Police, B8, Pullarambakkam Police Station, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu. [Crime No. 166 of 2025] ..Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to grant Anticipatory Bail to the Petitioner/Accused No.2 in Crime No. 166/2025 on the file of the Respondent Police, in the event of his arrest. For Petitioner: Mr.P. Bharath For Respondent: Mr.N.Palanivel Government Advocate (Crl.Side) ORDER The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 303(2), 326(a) of BNS, 2023 in Crime No.166 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused, have allegedly transported ¼ unit of river sand using Bolero Pickup without any valid permit or license. Hence, the case. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 21493 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 5 3. The learned counsel 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 condition that may be imposed by this Court.. 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's case and submitted that there are no adverse antecedents against the petitioner. However, he opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record. 6. From the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), it is evident that the petitioner does not have any previous cases. Though, this Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as serious offence, taking into consideration of the fact that he 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 respondent, this Court is inclined to enlarge him on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 21493 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 5 7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on anticipatory 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 No.I, Tiruvallur 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 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 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 21493 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 5 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. 06-08-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No VEDA To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.I, Tiruvallur. 2.The Inspector of Police, B8, Pullarambakkam Police Station, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu. 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 21493 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 5 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. VEDA CRL OP No. 21493 of 2026 06-08-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis