Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras

Order Date: 22 June 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Petitioner Balamurugan (Rapido auto driver) vs. The State represented by The Inspector of Police, Mangadu Police Station, Kancheepuram District.
  • Crime Details: Crime No.178 of 2026; alleged offences under Sections 296(b), 115(2) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.
  • Arrest & Custody: Petitioner arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 25 April 2026.
  • Prosecution Claim: Victim, a medical student, was travelling in an auto driven by the petitioner; petitioner allegedly misbehaved with her.
  • Petitioner’s Counsel Submission: Claims innocence, asserts false implication, has been in custody since 25.04.2026, and is willing to comply with stringent conditions.
  • Government Advocate Submission: Highlights petitioner’s four previous cases and notes that a major portion of the investigation is already completed.

Court Reasoning & Conditions

  • The Court, acknowledging the petitioner’s four prior cases but also considering the period of incarceration already undergone and the substantial progress of the investigation, decided to enlarge bail with specific conditions.
  • Bond: Petitioner to execute a bond of Rs.25,000 (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only).
  • Sureties: Two sureties each for a like sum, to be satisfied to the learned Judicial Magistrate, Sriperumbudur.
  • Surety Formalities: Sureties must affix photographs and left thumb impression on Application for Suretyship (Judicial Form No.46) and provide one identity proof for verification.
  • Reporting Requirement: Petitioner must report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation.
  • Non‑Absconding: Petitioner shall not abscond during investigation or trial.
  • Evidence & Witness Protection: Petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witnesses during investigation or trial.
  • Breach Consequences: On breach of any condition, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court may take appropriate action as per law, following the precedent set by the Supreme Court in P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) 13 SCC 283].
  • Additional Provision: If the petitioner absconds thereafter, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Final Outcome

  • The petitioner is ordered to be released on bail subject to the above‑stated bond, surety, reporting, and conduct conditions.

Topics: Bail, Criminal Procedure, Harassment Case