Sumanraj v. State of Tamilnadu Rep by Inspector of Police, Dindigul

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 25.02.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY CRL OP(MD)No.18910 of 2025

1.Sumanraj

2.Palraj

3.Seethalakshmi

4.Sujitha

... Petitioners / Accused Nos.1 to 4

Versus The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by the Inspector of Police, Nilakkottai All Women Police Station, Dindigul District. (Crime No.4 of 2025) ... Respondent / Complainant For Petitioners : Mr.A.Karthickkumar, Advocate

For Respondent : Mr.S.S.Manoj, Government Advocate (Criminal Side) For Intervener : Mr.R.Alagia Nambi, Advocate PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.4 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police. ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners/accused, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 85, 296(b), and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, in Crime No. 4 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the first petitioner, along with the other accused persons, subjected his wife to cruelty by demanding additional dowry, abused her in filthy language, assaulted her, and criminally intimidated her. Hence, the complaint.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent persons and have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioners will abide by any condition that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail for the petitioners.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) submitted that the petitioners had criminally intimidated the defacto complainant. Hence, he opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

¶5The learned counsel for the defacto complainant submitted that a divorce was granted on 23.02.2026 in H.M.O.P. No. 8 of 2026 by the learned Principal Special Court, Dindigul, and further submitted that a copy of the order has not been uploaded.

¶6Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, and in view of the divorce granted between the parties, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, with liberty to the de facto complainant to file an appropriate application before the respondent police, and the respondent police shall act in accordance with law.

¶7Accordingly, this Petition is allowed and the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court, Nilakottai, Dindigul District, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/-(Rupees Ten Thousand only) each with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent Police or to the Police Officer, who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned and on further conditions that:

(a) the petitioners and the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity;

(b) the petitioners shall report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation;

(c) the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

(d) the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

(e) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/ Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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) AIR SCW 5560]; and;

(f) if the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS 2023. (S S Y J)

25.02.2026 (2/2) pal To

1.The Judicial Magistrate Court, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Nilakkottai All Women Police Station, Dindigul District.

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