Padma v. State Rep. By, Inspector of Police,

ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

01.07.2026 for the alleged offence under Section 296(b), 127(2), 115(2), 308(2), 351 (2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 in Crime No.421 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. Page2 of 5

¶2The case of the prosecution is that petitioner along with other accused sexually assaulted the de facto complainant, forcibly removed his clothes and captured videos and photographs of him with the petitioner. Showing the same, they extorted money from the de facto complainant to the tune of Rs.5 lakhs from the de facto complainant. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case and that she has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioner.

¶4Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the Respondent Police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the petitioner has been remanded in judicial custody since

01.07.2026, however, fairly conceded that the petitioner has no criminal antecedents. However, he opposed the grant of bail to the Petitioner.

¶5I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions and perused the materials available on record.

¶6Considering the facts and circumstances of the case; taking note of the Page3 of 5 submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side); though such allegation has been made against the petitioner, the petitioner being a woman and that the petitioner has no criminal antecedents, this Court is of the view that major portion of the investigation might have been completed by this time, hence, further custody of the petitioner for the purpose of investigation is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on her executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned X Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai, and on further conditions that: [a] 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 the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., for the period of two weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation; [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; Page4 of 5 [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 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. 22-07-2026 SHL Note:

¶1Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

¶2All 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:

¶1The X Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai

¶2The Superintendent Puzhal Prison, Chennai

¶3The Inspector of Police, P-6, Kodungaiyur Police Station, Kodungaiyur, Chennai District.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o19567oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPANoJ. SHL CRLoOPoNo.o19567oofo2026 22-07-2026 Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 22-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Padma ..Petitioner Vs State rep. By, The Inspector of Police, P-6, Kodungaiyur Police Station, Kodungaiyur, Chennai District. Crime No.421 of 2026 ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in connection with Crime No.421 of 2026, pending on the file of the Respondent Police. For Petitioner: M/s.E.Ernest For Respondent: Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)