__________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 21.08.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE N.RAMESH CRL.O.P.No.23433 of 2026 Lingappan ..Petitioner Vs The State Represented by the Inspector of Police M1-Madhavaram Police station, Madhavaram, Chennai. (Crime No.520 of 2026) ..Respondent PRAYER: To enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.520/2026 on the file of respondent police and pass such further or other orders. For Petitioner : Mr.J.Prakash For Respondent : Mr.M.M.I.Khaleel, Govt.Advocate (Crl.Side) ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 11.07.2026 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 296(b), 115(2), 75 and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), read with Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman (Amendment) Act, 2002, in Crime No.520 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis __________ Page2 of 5 2. The case of the prosecution is that on 11.07.2026, at about 17.30 hours, while the petitioner was travelling in an MTC bus from Broadway to Madhavaram, the de-facto complainant noticed that the petitioner was indulging in physical harassment of a victim girl. Thereby, the petitioner is alleged to have committed the offences aforesaid. Hence the case. 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 has been in judicial custody since 11.07.2026 and is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for the grant of bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) vehemently opposed the grant of bail to the petitioner. He submitted that the petitioner has committed a grave offence against a woman in a public transport bus, and therefore, prayed for the dismissal of the bail petition. 5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), and perused the materials available on record. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis __________ Page3 of 5 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of the allegations, and the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner from 11.07.2026, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. 7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Madhavaram, and on further conditions that: [a] the sureties shall affix his 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 the identity proofs to ensure his identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; [c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [e] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis __________ Page4 of 5 Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283]; [f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S. 21.08.2026 kmm Note: 1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court. 2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. To 1. The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Madhavaram. 2. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Puzhal. 3. The Inspector of Police M1-Madhavaram Police station, Madhavaram, Chennai. 4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis __________ Page5 of 5 N.RAMESH, J. kmm CRL.O.P.No.23433 of 2026 21.08.2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis