Allowed

Muthu Senguttuvan v. the Inspector of Police

Madras HC14 Dec 2023CRL OP(MD)/16172/2023

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

This judgment grants anticipatory bail to petitioners facing arrest under Sections 498(A), 294(b), 323, 495, 506(1) IPC in a matrimonial dispute involving bigamy and dowry allegations. The court considered Supreme Court precedents regarding non-heinous nature and community roots, ordering bail on personal bond.

What did the court decide?

Petitioners ordered to be released on bail on personal bond of Rs. 10,000 subject to conditions of appearance, no tampering, and no absconding.

Muthu Senguttuvan Vs the Inspector of Police — Anticipatory Bail | Madras HC (2023)

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CRL OP(MD)No.16172 of 2023

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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( Criminal Jurisdiction )

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Date : 14/12/2023

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PRESENT

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The Hon`ble Mr.Justice V. SIVAGNANAM

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CRL OP(MD)No.16172 of 2023

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Muthu Senguttuvan,

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Manimegalai,

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Tamilarasan,

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Jayaraj Ingar,

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Pushparani,

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Chitradevi,

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Ravi,

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Kannammal, ... Petitioners/A1,A2,A3,A5,A7 to A10

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State Rep.by The Inspector of Police, Musiri All Woman Police Station Musiri Trichy District Crime No.26 of 2023.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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CRL OP(MD)No.16172 of 2023

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Elakkiya,

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(R2 is Suo-Motu Impleaded as Per Order of the Court dated 07.09.2023 in Crl.O.P. (MD)No.16172 of 2023)

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... Respondents/Complainants

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For Petitioner : Mr.P.M.Vishnu Varthanan, Advocate

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For Respondent : Mr.R.Suresh Kumar, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

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PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.438 of Cr.P.C

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PRAYER :-

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For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.26 of 2023 on the file of the respondent Police.

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ORDER : The Court made the following order :-

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The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 498(A), 294(b), 323, 495, 506(1) IPC in Crime No.26 of 2023, seek anticipatory bail.

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2.The case of the prosecution is that the first petitioner and the defacto complainant are husband and wife. After marriage, the accused demanded additional dowry and the first petitioner married the second petitioner, without

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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CRL OP(MD)No.16172 of 2023

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getting divorce from the defacto complainant. Hence the case.

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3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent persons and they have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail.

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4.The learned Government Advocate(Crl.side) appearing for the respondent police would submit that the investigation is pending.

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5.Considering the nature of allegations levelled as against the petitioners and taking into consideration the principles stated by the Honourable Supreme Court in Gurubaksh Singh Sibbia Etc., vs. State of Punjab reported in 1980 AIR 1632 and Lal Kamlendra Pratap Singh vs. State of Uttar Pradesh and others reported in (2009)4 SCC 437 and Joginder Kumar vs. State of U.P. and others reported in (1994)4 SCC 260 and taking into consideration the origin of crime, it is seen that the offence alleged as against the petitioners is not a case of heinous crime. Further the petitioners are having permanent residence at Trichy District. Hence the principles stated in Hussainara Khatoon & Ors vs. Home Secretary, State Of Bihar reported in https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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CRL OP(MD)No.16172 of 2023

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AIR 1979 SC 1360 is taken into consideration. In that case, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has cautioned that pre-trial detention is not be encouraged nor is to be encourageable pre-trial release on sureties; that if the Court is satisfied after taking into consideration that the accused has his roots in the community and is not likely to abscond, he can safely be released on his personal bond.

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6.In view of the above, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thuraiyur on condition that the petitioners shall execute a own bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that :

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[a] the petitioners shall affix his photograph 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.

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CRL OP(MD)No.16172 of 2023

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[b] the petitioners shall report before the trial Court on summons.

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[c] the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

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[d] the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

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[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].

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[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

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14/12/2023

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/ TRUE COPY /

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/01 /2024 Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S.) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

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gns

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis