Madras High Court
CRL RC/2201/2026 of Aswini Sathya Vs State of Tamilnadu, Rep. by The Inspector of Polic on 1 October 2026
CRL RC No. 2201 of 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 01-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN
CRL RC No. 2201 of 2026
CNR: {HCMA012155142026}
Aswini Sathya
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
The State of Tamil Nadu,
Rep. by the Inspector of Police,
Central Crime Branch (CCB-I),
Entrustment Document Fraud Wing,
ACP-I Office Campus, Tambaram,
Tambaram City Police.
Cr.No.81 of 2024.
..Respondent(s)
Prayer: The Criminal Revision Petition is filed under Section 438 and 442 of BNSS, 2023, to set aside the order in Crl.M.P.No.1628 of 2026 dated 23.07.2026 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Tambaram.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.C.Arun Kumar
For Respondent(s):
Mr.A.Amarnath,
Additional Public Prosecutor
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ORDER
The Revision challenges the dismissal of the petitioner's application seeking return of a laptop and cash of Rs.25,000/- seized during the course of investigation in Crime No. 81 of 2024.
CRL RC No. 2201 of 2026
2. The petitioner is facing prosecution for the offences under Section 406 and 420 IPC in Crime No. 81 of 2024. During the course of investigation, the petitioner's laptop and cash were seized. The petitioner sought for return of laptop and cash, which came to be dismissed by the learned Magistrate by the impugned order. The reason for dismissal is that the respondent had stated that the laptop is an important material to prove the commission of the offence and the cash is a case property.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the laptop and the cash are not required for the purpose of investigation; that if the laptop is allowed to lie idle, it would be of no use either to the prosecution or to the petitioner, even assuming that it is liable for confiscation at a later stage; and would submit that it is not the case of the respondent that the cash found in possession of the petitioner is a stolen property or created suspicion of commission of any offence, so as to invoke Section 106 of BNSS for seizure.
4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor would fairly concede that the laptop was sent for forensic examination and a report has already been filed.
5. This Court is of the view that the laptop may not be required for the purpose of proving the offences, as the same was already sent for forensic examination and the report has been obtained. No useful purpose would be
CRL RC No. 2201 of 2026
served in keeping the laptop idle at the police station. Similarly, it is not the case of the respondent that the cash seized from the petitioner is a stolen property or created suspicion of commission of any offence.
6. In view of the above, this Court is of the view that the cash and the laptop of the petitioner can be returned on the following conditions;
(i) The petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each for a likesum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Tambaram;
(ii) The petitioner shall not alienate or alter the laptop and
(iii) The petitioner shall produce the laptop as and when required by the Trial Court. Accordingly, the Revision is Allowed. 01-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No TSG
CRL RC No. 2201 of 2026
SUNDER MOHAN, J. TSG To
1. Judicial Magistrate No.I, Tambaram.
2. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Inspector of Police, Central Crime Branch (CCB-I), Entrustment Document Fraud Wing, ACP-I Office Campus, Tambaram, Tambaram City Police. Cr.No.81 of 2024.
3. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court. CRL RC No. 2201 of 2026 01-10-2026