Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras

Order Date: 12-06-2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Indhirajith, Kesavan, Bharathi, Balamurugan (and one unnamed) filed a criminal original petition under Section 483 BNSS 2023 seeking bail in Crime No.47/2026.
  • Respondent: State represented by the Inspector of Police, Thittacheri Police Station, Nagapattinam District; case recorded as Crime No.47/2026.
  • Allegations: Petitioners intercepted an ONGC lorry carrying crude oil, used abusive language, assaulted the driver, and broke the front and rear mirrors and indicator lights, causing monetary loss. They later assaulted an official arriving at the scene and broke his mobile phone.
  • Charges: Offences under Sections 126, 296(b), 115(2), 118(1), 132, 351(3), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (corresponding to IPC sections 339, 294, 323, 324, 353, 503, 34) and Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act.
  • Custody: Petitioners were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 26-04-2026 and have remained in custody continuously since that date.
  • Prior record: Accused identified as A3 has eight pending cases; the remaining petitioners have no prior criminal cases.

Final Outcome

  • The Court orders release on bail for each petitioner upon execution of a bond of Rs 25,000 with two sureties of equal amount, subject to the following conditions:
  • Sureties must affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the Application for Suretyship (Judicial Form No.46) and provide one identity proof for verification by Judicial Magistrate No.II, Nagapattinam.
  • Petitioners must report to the respondent police twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. until further orders.
  • Petitioners must not abscond during investigation or trial.
  • Petitioners must not tamper with evidence or witnesses during investigation or trial.
  • Breach of any condition may lead to appropriate action by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court as per law, referencing P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) 13 SCC 283].
  • If petitioners abscond, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
  • The order directs the Registry to upload the order immediately on the official website of the Court, with watermark and QR code; all concerned parties are to act on the uploaded order without requiring certified hard copies.

Topics: Bail, Criminal Procedure, Oil & Gas Asset Protection