N.Manavalan v. The State Rep by the Inspector of Police

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

24.06.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 140(4), 143(1)(d), 143(2), 316(2) and 318(2) of BNS, 2023, Sections 10 and 24 of the Emigration Act Page2 of 4 1983 and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (as amended in 2008), in Crime No.57 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

¶2The allegation against the petitioner is that is a case of human trafficking. It is alleged that the petitioner, along with other accused, promised to arrange employment for the defacto complainant in Cambodia received a sum of Rs.50,000/- from him, and sent him to Cambodia. Upon reaching Cambodia, the defacto complainant was allegedly compelled to engage in online scam activities. Realising that he had been cheated by the accused, the defacto complainant, with the assistance of the officials of the Indian Embassy returned to India. Hence, the complaint.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted submitted that the petitioner was not originally arrayed as an accused and that he was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 24.06.2026. He further submitted that this is the third bail application filed by the petitioner. He further submitted that the co-accused/A3 has already been released on bail. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioner.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) strongly opposed the bail application and submitted that, there are five accused in this case and the petitioner is arrayed as A4. According to the investigation, the petitioner is a Page3 of 4 close associate Madhan/A1, who is running a hotel business in Myanmar under the name "Jallikattu Restaurant". He further submitted that A1 and the petitioner were sharing the profits of the illegal acitivies. He further submitted that they took a lot of effort to secure the petitioner, as he has permanent residence and is doing business in Myanmar. He further submitted that A2 and A5 are still absconding and that the investigation is still pending. It is further submitted that the earlier anticipatory bail applications were dismissed and that there is no change in circumstances in the present application.

¶5Considering the gravity of the offences and upon the ground that there is no change in circumstances, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 19-08-2026 DRL To

1.The Inspector of Police State Cyber Crime Investigation Centre, Cyber Crime Wing, Ashok Nagar, Chennai-600 083.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o23109oofo2026 N.RAMESH,oJ. DRL CRLoOPoNo.o23109oofo2026 19-08-2026 Page4oofo4

Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 19-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE N.RAMESH N.Manavalan Son of Mr.Nagaraj, No.310, West Street, Palarpatti, Kulaiyanur, Bodinayakanur, Theni District, Tamil Nadu-625 515. ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep by The Inspector of Police State Cyber Crime Investigation Centre, Cyber Crime Wing, Ashok Nagar, Chennai-600 083. Crime No.57 of 2026. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.57 of 2026, on the file of Inspector of Police, State Cyber Crime Investigation Centre, Cyber Crime Wing, Ashok Nagar, Chennai-600 083. For Petitioner(s): M/s. B.Rajesh Khanna For Respondent(s): Mr.M.M.I.Khaleel, Govt.Advocate (Crl.Side)