Senthilnathan v. The State of Tamilnadu
Case brief
What is this about?
Conditional bail granted under Section 483 BNSS 2023; CRL OP (MD) No.6672 of 2025; Madurai Bench of Madras High Court; Justice R. Sakthivel; decision dated 16/04/2025. Petitioner/sole accused Senthilnathan arrested 03.04.2025 in Crime No.143 of 2025, Devakottai Town Police Station, Sivagangai District; offences: Sections 296(b) and 351(3) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (abusive language/criminal intimidation), Section 4 Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Women Harassment Act 2002, Section 3 Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act 1992. Bail opposed by intervenor/defacto complainant (threat to life) and by Government Advocate K.Sanjai Gandhi (six pending previous cases, absconding/witness-tampering risk); counsel R.Balamuruganantham sought bail offering Rs.3,000/- deposit. Court released bail citing unnecessary custody, deep roots in society, low absconding risk and period of incarceration. Conditions: Rs.25,000 bond plus two sureties of like sum (Judicial Magistrate, Devakottai; Judicial Form No.46, Criminal Rules of Practice 2019); Rs.3,000 deposit to crime credit in fixed deposit until trial end; daily 10.00 am reporting; bond under Chapter XXXV BNS 2023; no contact/obstruction/threats to defacto complainant or witnesses; breach actionable per Supreme Court case P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala (2005) 13 SCC 283. Keywords: anticipatory-free regular bail, sole accused, filthy language, sewage tank damage, criminal intimidation, one opportunity to reform.