Raja @ Raja v. The State, Rep by Inspector of Police

ORDER Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

¶2The petitioner has filed this petition challenging the order passed by the Special Court under TNPID Act, Chennai in Crl.M.P.No.60 of 2025, which refused to modify the bail conditions.

¶3The petitioner was arrested in Crime No.10 of 2024 for offences under Section 409, 420 r/w 34 IPC and 120(B) of IPC and Section 5 of the Tamil Nadu Protection of Interests of Depositors (TNPID) Act. Since the police did not file the charge sheet within the required period of 90 days, the petitioner was granted bail under statutory provisions. One of the conditions required him to report to the police daily, which he has been complying with. After seeking relaxation of this condition before the Special Court, his request was rejected, leading to the present petition.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), appearing for the respondent, submits that this case involves financial fraud exceeding Rs.3.5 crores, impacting several depositors. It is further submitted that two co-accused are absconding, and one more accused remains in judicial custody. The prosecution argues that relaxing the petitioner's bail conditions may enable him to abscond or delay the investigation, affecting the victims involved.

¶5Considering the facts of the case, the petitioner was granted bail solely due to the prosecution's failure to file the charge sheet within the statutory period, and also considering the serious nature of the offence, which involves financial fraud exceeding Rs.3.5 crores and has affected numerous depositors, as well as the fact that two co-accused remain absconding while another accused is in judicial custody, any relaxation of bail conditions could pose a risk of absconding and further delay the investigation, and therefore, this Court is not inclined to modify the conditions and accordingly the criminal original petition is dismissed.

10.06.2025 r n s Index : Yes/No Speaking Order : Yes/No

P.VELMURUGAN, J r n s To

¶1The Inspector of Police, Economic Offences Wing, Headquarters, Chennai.

2.The Special Court under TNPID Act, Chennai,

¶3The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai.

10.06.2025

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated: 10.06.2025 Coram: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN -- Raja @ Raja.K. .. Petitioner Vs. The State, Rep. by Inspector of Police, Economic Offences Wing, Headquarters, Chennai. (Crime No.10 of 2024) .. Respondent Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of BNSS, to set aside the order passed in Crl.M.P.No.60 of 2025 on the file of the Special Court under TNPID Act, Chennai, dated 14.02.2025 and relax the condition that "6.The petitioner/accused shall appear before the respondent Police on every day at 10.30 a.m until further orders" imposed on the petitioner herein vide order dated 22.11.2024 passed in Crl.M.P.No.2881 of 2024. For petitioner : Mr.S.I.Sharukumar For respondent: Dr.C.E.Pratap Government Advocate (Criminal Side)