Sindhu Vs State rep.by — Anticipatory Bail | Madras HC (2026)

Sindhu Vs State rep.by — Anticipatory Bail | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Anticipatory bail granted under Section 482 BNSS 2023: release on bail in the event of arrest or on appearance within fifteen (15) days before the learned Principal District Judge, Tiruvallur, on a bond of Rs.20,000/- with two sureties each for a like sum; daily reporting before the respondent police at 10.30 a.m. until further orders; automatic cancellation if the petitioner fails to surrender within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the order copy; breach actionable per P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala; fresh FIR under Section 269 BNS if the petitioner absconds.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, apprehending arrest for an alleged offence of illegal transactions under the Information Technology Act, 2000 in connection with an investment-scam complaint (Unknown Crime Number, Cyber Crime Police Station, Thiruvallur District), is entitled to anticipatory bail under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023. +1 more

Court's answer

Anticipatory bail granted: the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on her appearance, within fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Principal District Judge, Tiruvallur.

Ratio / Principle

Considering the totality of the circumstances, particularly the fact that the petitioner is a woman, the Court held that custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required and that it is inclined to grant anticipatory bail subject to conditions.

Key takeaways

Release is conditional on execution of a bond for Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum, to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned.ratio¶25
Further condition: the petitioner shall report before the respondent police every day at 10.30 a.m. until further orders.ratio¶31
If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned learned Magistrate within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of the order, the order shall stand automatically cancelled.ratio

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

MADRAS HIGH COURT (C.Kumarappan J.) — Crl.O.P.No.15622 of 2026, decided 22.06.2026. Anticipatory bail under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023 granted to Mrs.Sindhu, who apprehended arrest in an alleged cyber-crime investment case (offence under the Information Technology Act, 2000; Unknown Crime Number, Cyber Crime Police Station, Thiruvallur District; possible connected cases in Kerala, Telangana or other jurisdictions). The de facto complainant alleged she was induced to invest Rs.67,17,000/- on promises of high returns, none of which were received; the petitioner claimed her bank account was unauthorisedly used by third parties and frozen. Considering the totality of circumstances, particularly that the petitioner is a woman, the Court found custodial interrogation unnecessary and ordered release on bail in the event of arrest or appearance within fifteen (15) days before the Principal District Judge, Tiruvallur, on a Rs.20,000/- bond with two sureties for like sums, daily reporting to the respondent police at 10.30 a.m., automatic cancellation on failure to surrender within fifteen (15) days, breach-action as laid down in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala, (2005) AIR SCW 5560, and a fresh FIR under Section 269 BNS if she absconds.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 22.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN

Crl.O.P.No.15622 of 2026

Mrs.Sindhu

... Petitioner

Vs.

State by: The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Police Station, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

... Respondent

PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023, to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the event of her arrest in connection with Unknown Crime Number on the file of the Cyber Crime Police Station, Thiruvallur District and/or any other connected cases arising from the same set of transactions in Kerala, Telangana or other jurisdictions; Direct the petitioner to join the investigation as and when required by the Investigating Agency, subject to such conditions.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Sri Ganesh

For Respondent : Mr.N.Palanivel. Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

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O R D E R

The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offence of illegal transaction under Information Technology Act, 2000, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The allegation against the petitioner is that she induced the de facto complainant to invest money by promising high returns. Believing the representations made by the petitioner, the de facto complainant invested a sum of Rs.67,17,000/-. However, according to the defacto complainant, no returns were received. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is in no way connected with the alleged offence and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It was further submitted that the petitioner's bank account was unauthorisedly used by certain third parties and that the said account was subsequently frozen. The freezing of the account has severely affected the petitioner's business. The learned counsel further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court and will fully cooperate with the investigation. Hence, he prayed for the grant of anticipatory bail.

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4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), appearing for the

respondent police, reiterated the prosecution case and opposed the grant of anticipatory bail.

5. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner's bank account had been unauthorisedly used by certain third parties and was subsequently frozen. Considering the totality of the circumstances, particularly the fact that the petitioner is a woman, this Court is of the view that the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Accordingly, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions.

Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on her appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Principal District Judge, Tiruvallur on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two sureties each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions:

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(a) If the petitioner(s) fail to surrender before the concerned learned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

(b) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the application for surety ship (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify proofs to ensure their identity;

(c) The petitioner shall report before the respondent

police everyday at 10.30 a.m. until further orders;

(d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioner(s) in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner(s) released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v.

State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560];

(e) If the petitioner(s) thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

22.06.2026

rkp

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To

1.The Principal District Judge, Tiruvallur.

The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Police Station, Thiruvallur District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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C.KUMARAPPAN.J.

rkp

Crl.O.P.No.15622 of 2026

22.06.2026

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