The court considered the lack of previous cases for similar or serious offenses and the appellant's custody since the incident as grounds for allowing the Criminal Appeal and granting bail.

JUDGMENT

(Prayer: This Criminal Appeal is filed under Section 14-A(2) of SC/ST Act, to set aside the order dated 29.11.2022 made in Cr.M.P.No.2663 of 2022 on the file of the learned II Additional District and Sessions Judge (PCR), Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District and enlarge the appellant on bail in Crime No.228 of 2022 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Thatchanallur Police Station.)

1. This Criminal Appeal is directed against the order passed in Cr.M.P.No.2663 of 2022, dated 29.11.2022 by the learned II Additional District and Sessions Judge (PCR), Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District.

2. The case of the prosecution is that due to some previous enmity between the appellant and the third respondent/defacto complainant, on 06.08.2022, when the defacto complainant along with his son Petchairaja and his elder son Sivakumar and one Sudalaikumar were proceeding to Malapalayam, Kurichi for construction work, at about 09.20 am, when they are crossing Sai Baba Temple near Bye-pass road bridge one accused came in motorcycle and dashed Petchiraja''s two wheeler and the other accused also attacked the said Petchiraja with deadly weapons and caused injuries. Subsequently, the said Petchiraja succumbed to the injuries on the spot itself. Hence, the second respondent registered a case against the accused including the appellant, in Crime No.228 of 2022 for the offences under Sections 341, 294(b), 302 and 506(2) IPC and Sections 3(l)(r), 3(l)(s) and 3(1)(v) of the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the appellant would submit that appellant name does not find place in the FIR; that only on the basis of the confession alleged to have been taken from the first accused, the appellant was implicated as eighth accused. He would further submit that the appellant was not present at the time of occurrence and only on the basis of conspiracy, he was implicated.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the State would submit that the appellant is not having any previous cases. He would further submit that the investigation has already been completed and the charge sheet has already been laid and the case was taken on file in S.C. No.132 of 2022 pending on the file of the learned II Additional District and Sessions Judge (PCR), Tirunelveli,

5. The learned counsel appearing for the third respondent has raised objections to grant bail to the appellant.

6. Considering the above facts and circumstances and also the facts that the appellant is in custody from 10.08.2022 and that the appellant is not having any previous cases for similar offence or serious offence, this Court is inclined to allow the Criminal Appeal by setting aside the order, dated 29.11.2022 made in Crl.M.P.No.2663 of 2022 on the file of the learned II Additional District and Sessions Judge (PCR), Tirunelveli.

7. Accordingly, the Criminal Appeal is allowed and the order, dated 29.11.2022 made in Crl.M.P.No.2663 of 2022 on the file of the learned II Additional District and Sessions Judge (PCR), Tirunelveli, is set aside. The appellant is ordered to be released on bail on their executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) each with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned II Additional District and Sessions Judge (PCR), Tirunelveli, and on further conditions that:

[a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the learned Sessions Judge may obtain a copy of their valid identity card to ensure their identity.

[b] the appellant shall appear before the concerned Court on all working days at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

[c] the appellant shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[d] the appellant shall co-operate with the investigation.

[e] On breach of any of the aforesaid