Karuna @ Karunanithi vs The State of Tamilnadu, Rep. by The Deputy Superintendent of Police Aranthangi Sub Division,

Court
Madras High Court

CRL A(MD) No. 1272 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 04-11-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.LINGESWARAN
CRL A(MD) No. 1272 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011531802026}
Karuna @ Karunanithi
S/o. Rathinam,
No. 10/23, Pulavankurichi,
Kadavakkottai, Avudaiyarkoil Taluk,
Pudukottai District.
… Appellant/
Sole Accused
Vs
1. The State of Tamilnadu,
Represented by
The Deputy Superintendent of Police,
Aranthangi Sub Division,
Pudukottai District.
2. State of Tamilnadu
Represented by
The Inspector of Police,
Thiruppunavasal Police Station,
Pudukottai District.
Crime No. 65 of 2026.
… Respondents 1 and 2/
Complainants
3. Amutha
W/o. Kumar,
Kadavakkottai,
Pathirakkudi Post,
Kadavakkottai,
Avudaiyarkoil Taluk,
Pudukottai District.
rd
… 3 Respondent/Defacto Complainant
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CRL A(MD) No. 1272 of 2026
PRAYER: Criminal Appeal filed under Section 14A(2) of the Schedule
Castes and Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, 2015 as amended by Act
1 of 2016, 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.
For Appellant :M/s KR.Bharathi Kannan
For R1 and R2 : Mr.G.Ganesh Kumar
Government Advocate (Crl.Side)
For R3 : Mr.S. Mohammad Kasim
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.
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CRL A(MD) No. 1272 of 2026
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.
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CRL A(MD) No. 1272 of 2026
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:
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CRL A(MD) No. 1272 of 2026
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.
st
on the 1 working day of every month at 10.30. a.m., until
further orders.
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CRL A(MD) No. 1272 of 2026
(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
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CRL A(MD) No. 1272 of 2026
D.LINGESWARAN, J.
EBSI
CRL A(MD) No. 1272 of 2026
04-11-2026
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