Authority: Madras High Court (Justice N. Ramesh)
Order Date: 19-08-2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Arun Choudary (also referred to as Shahul Hameed) filed a criminal original petition under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 seeking bail in Crime No.132 of 2026, registered by the Inspector of Police, Otteri Police Station.
- Respondent: State represented by the Inspector of Police, Otteri Police Station; Government Advocate (Criminal side) Mr. M.M.I. Khaleel.
- Allegations: The petitioner acted as correspondent of Shikshaa Kids – E – Pre schol, a school in Mannivakkam lacking a valid licence for the academic year 2026‑2027. It is alleged that fees were collected from thirty‑one victims (later noted as thirty‑four) amounting to Rs 11,25,000, and that Rs 2,29,000 was transferred into the petitioner’s personal G‑Pay account, with no study materials or uniforms provided.
- Prosecution stance: Opposed bail, citing lack of licence and the specific amount collected by petitioner.
- Defence stance: Petitioner claimed innocence, offered to cooperate, and voluntarily offered to deposit the alleged amount of Rs 2,29,000 as a condition for bail.
Final Outcome
- The Court granted bail, directing the petitioner to execute a bond of Rs 25,000 with two sureties of equal amount, subject to conditions:
- Deposit Rs 2,29,000 as a non‑refundable amount into the credit of Crime No.132 of 2026 within one week of release; failure will vacate bail.
- Daily reporting to the respondent police at 10:30 a.m.
- No absconding, no tampering with evidence or witnesses.
- Compliance with any further FIRs filed for additional complaints.
- Breach may lead to action by the Magistrate/Trial Court and a fresh FIR under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
- The order also mandates the registration of surety photographs and left thumb impressions, and directs the registry to upload the order on the Court’s official website.
Topics: Bail, School Fee Fraud, Criminal Procedure