Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court (C.Kumarappan, J., order dated 16-07-2026) in CRL OP No.18647 of 2026 grants anticipatory bail to Kutty @ Selvakumar apprehending arrest in Crime No.295 of 2026, Thiruvallur Town Police Station, for offences under Sections 191(2), 191(3), 126(2), 127(2), 296(b), 115(2), 118(1) and 351(3) of BNS, 2023; alleged group assault of the defacto complainant after a wordy quarrel over food distribution at a temple festival; petitioner has no criminal antecedents and the injured was discharged from hospital, so custodial interrogation held unnecessary; conditions include surrender before Judicial Magistrate-II, Thiruvallur within 15 days, Rs.20,000 bond with two sureties, daily police reporting at 10.30 a.m. for three weeks, breach consequences per P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560], and fresh FIR under Section 269 of BNS Act on absconding.
What did the court decide?
Anticipatory bail granted subject to conditions: petitioner to be released/appear before the learned Judicial Magistrate-II, Thiruvallur within 15 days of the order copy being made ready, executing a Rs.20,000 bond with two sureties each for a like sum; sureties to affix photographs and left thumb impressions (Judicial Form No.46, Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019) with one identity proof; automatic cancellation if the petitioner fails to surrender within 15 days; daily reporting before respondent police at 10.30 a.m. for three weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation; on breach of conditions the Magistrate/Trial Court may take appropriate action as per P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; if the petitioner absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.