Authority: High Court of Madras
Order Date: 30 July 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: petitioner S. Kanagaraj vs. The State represented by the Inspector of Police, D1, Triplicane Police Station, Chennai (Crime No. 205 of 2026).
- Nature of Proceeding: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) seeking anticipatory bail.
- Allegations: The FIR alleges that the petitioner was involved in an offer of Rs.35 crore to a Member of Legislative Assembly to vote as per the party whip in a proposed ‘No Confidence Motion’ against the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The offer was allegedly made by the first accused, who also threatened dire consequences if the MLA refused. The prosecution further alleges that the petitioner, a resident of Karur, operates finance establishments – Deepam Finance, Pentagon Finance and Blue Mountain Finance – which are used as part of an organized hawala network to route the illicit funds.
- Accused: Fourteen persons have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The petitioner is not named as an accused in the FIR.
- Petitioner’s Submissions: Counsel argued that the petitioner is falsely implicated, there is no direct evidence (no call records, WhatsApp messages, CCTV, bank transactions, or witness) linking him to the alleged Rs.35 crore offer or threats, and that he resides in Karur and is willing to cooperate.
- Respondent’s Submissions: Government counsel contended that the petitioner is the head of a hawala operator, controls the aforementioned finance firms, and coordinates with legislators V. Senthil Balaji and R.V. Ashok Kumar, thereby facilitating the illegal gratification.
- Court’s Observations: The Court noted that the petitioner is not a named accused, the prosecution’s case lacks prima facie material showing conscious offer or conspiracy, and that anticipatory bail had already been granted to two other accused (Crl.O.P.Nos. 17765 and 17241 of 2026). The Court found no necessity to deny bail.
Final Outcome
- The Court granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner.
- The petitioner must execute a separate bond of Rs.25,000 with two sureties of equal amount.
- Conditions imposed:
1. Photographs, left thumb impressions, and identity verification (Aadhaar/Bank Pass Book) of petitioner and sureties.
2. Daily reporting to the respondent police at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
3. No tampering with evidence or witnesses.
4. No absconding during investigation or trial.
5. Breach of conditions will attract appropriate action as per Supreme Court precedent (P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala).
6. If the petitioner absconds, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 229‑A IPC.
Topics: Anticipatory Bail, Corruption, Hawala