CRL A(MD)/1272/2026 of Karuna @ Karunanithi Vs The State of Tamilnadu, Rep. by The Deputy Superintendent of Police Aranthangi Sub Division on 4 November 2026

JUDGMENT

This Criminal Appeal has been filed to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed in Cr.M.P.No.326 of 2026 on the file of the learned Special Sessions Judge, Special Court for Trial of Cases under SC/ST (POA) Act, Pudukkottai, dated 15.10.2026 in Crime No.65 of 2026 on the file of the second respondent and set aside the same as illegal and enlarge the appellant on bail by allowing the criminal appeal.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the defacto complainant and the accused are residing in the same locality. The occurrence took place near the agricultural land of the defacto complainant situated at Pulavankuruchi near Kadavakkottai, Pudukkottai District. On 15.08.2026 at about 07.30.a.m., the defacto complainant went to her agricultural land to inspect the same after the previous nights’ rain. At that time, she allegedly noticed that the bund of her agricultural land had been damaged/broken. On enquiry with the neighbouring persons, she was allegedly informed that the said bund had been broken by the petitioner in connection with transporting of paddy bags by a lorry. The defacto complainant approached the accused and requested him to restore/reconstruct the agricultural bund. The petitioner refused to restore the bund and allegedly abused the defacto complainat by using caste- related derogatory words and insulting expressions attempted to assault her. Based upon the incident, a complaint given by the defacto complaint, the respondent police registered the case.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the appellant submitted that the appellant is a daily wager and he is the sole breadwinner of his family. The appellant is in judicial custody from 07.10.2026. The appellant has no previous case. Hence, he seeks to grant to bail to the appellant.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 submitted that the appellant is the sole accused in Crime No.65 of 2026 for the offences under Sections 296(b) of BNS and Section 3(1) (r), 3(1) (s) of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 1989. The appellant has no previous case.

5. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the appellant, the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 and the learned counsel appearing for the third respondent/defacto complainant.

6. Considering the nature of allegations and the fact that it is only a wordy quarrel between the accused and the defacto complainant, admittedly no injury was caused and the appellant has no previous case, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the appellant on certain conditions:

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Appeal is allowed. The appellant is ordered to be released on bail on the following conditions:-

(i) The appellant 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 Special Court for Trial of Cases under SC/ST (POA, Act, Pudukkottai.

(ii) The sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the trial Court may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank Pass Book to ensure their identity;

(iii) The petitioner shall appear before the learned Special Sessions Judge, Special Court for Trial of Cases under SC/ST (POA) Act, Pudukkottai, once in a month i.e. on the 1st working day of every month at 10.30. a.m., until further orders.

(iv) On violation of any of the above conditions by the appellant, the respondent police shall move an application for cancellation of the bail before the Trial Court as per the direction of the Hon'ble Apex Court in P.K.Shaji Vs. State of Kerala reported in AIR 2005 SC

100. 04-11-2026 EBSI To

1. The Special Sessions Judge,

Special Court for Trial of Cases under SC/ST (POA) Act, Pudukkottai.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police Aranthangi Sub Division Pudukottai District

3. The Inspector Of Police,

Thiruppunavasal Police Station, Pudukottai District.

4. The Officer incharge, District Jail,

Pudukkottai District.

5. The Additional Public Prosecutor Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Madurai Copy To : Section Officer ( VR Section ) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court

D.LINGESWARAN, J. EBSI CRL A(MD) No. 1272 of 2026 04-11-2026