MADRAS HIGH COURT (C.KUMARAPPAN J.), CRL OP No. 15234 of 2026, decided 17-06-2026. Anticipatory bail granted to petitioners P.Arun and P.Hariharan, who apprehended arrest in Crime No. 321 of 2026 of V-5, Thirumangalam Police Station, Chennai, for alleged offences under Sections 296(b), 118(2) and 351(3) of BNS, 2023 (corresponding to Sections 294, 326 and 507 of IPC), arising from an alleged incident of 18.05.2026 in which the petitioners' two-wheeler allegedly dashed into the de facto complainant's two-wheeler, following which they allegedly abused him in filthy language and threatened him with dire consequences. The petition was filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023. The Government Advocate (Crl.Side) stated upon instructions that this is a case and counter case and that the injured person has been discharged from hospital; taking the totality of circumstances into account, the Court held that custodial interrogation of the petitioners was not required at this stage. The petitioners were ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance within fifteen (15) days from the date the order copy is made ready, before the learned XIII Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, on execution of a separate bond of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties each, for a like sum, subject to further conditions: automatic cancellation of the order on failure to surrender within 15 days; affixation of sureties' photographs and left thumb impressions with identity-proof verification (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'); daily reporting before the respondent police every day at 10.30 a.m. for two weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation; entitlement of the learned Magistrate/Trial Court to take appropriate action on breach of conditions as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; and registration of a fresh FIR under Section 269 of BNS Act if the petitioners thereafter abscond.
