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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 37424
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
P.Dhanabal, J
Kannan – Appellant
Versus
State of Tamil Nadu – Respondent
Crl.O.P.(MD) No.7235 of 2026
For Petitioners:Mr.S.Krishnan, Advocate
For Respondent:Mr.M.Karunanithi, Government Advocate (Criminal Side)
Bail conditions relaxed for compliant accused facing family hardship, modifying to monthly reporting.
Headnote:The petition was filed under Section 483(i) read with Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, seeking to set aside the trial court's order refusing relaxation of bail conditions previously modified to require daily reporting in Tanjore District. Petitioners, granted bail on 10.03.2026 with residence and reporting conditions, sought modifications due to family hardships as sole breadwinners. The court found petitioners compliant with prior conditions and, considering offence nature, inclined to grant relief. Key issue framed was whether further relaxation of bail conditions was warranted given compliance and personal circumstances. The court's reasoning emphasized petitioners' regular compliance, family dependencies, and offence nature, justifying modification without altering other conditions. Criminal Original Petition allowed; trial court order dated 02.04.2026 set aside, bail condition relaxed to monthly reporting for three months.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. petition challenges trial court's refusal to relax bail conditions. (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
| 2. petitioners seek relief due to family hardship and compliance. (Para 4) |
| 3. court modifies conditions to monthly reporting considering compliance. (Para 5) |
O RDER
This Criminal Original Petition has been filed to set aside the order dated 02.04.2026 passed by the learned Principal Sessions Judge, Madurai, in Crl.M.P.No.1400 of 2026, and consequently to relax the condition imposed on the petitioners in the order passed in Crl.M.P. No.1208 of 2026, dated 18.03.2026, by the learned Principal Sessions Judge, Madurai.
2. Heard both sides.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submits that the petitioners were granted bail on 10.03.2026 by the learned Principal Sessions Judge, Madurai, in Crl.M.P.No.1069 of 2026, with a condition that the petitioners shall stay in Villupuram District and appear and sign before the Inspector of Police, Villupuram Town Police Station, daily at 10.00 a.m. and 05.00 p.m., until further orders. Subsequently, the petitioners filed a petition before the said Court in Crl.M.P.No.1208 of 2026 seeking modification of the said condition. By order dated
18.03.2026, the learned trial Judge allowed the said petition, modifying the condition to the effect that the petitioners shall stay in Tanjore District and appear and sign before the Inspector of Police, Tanjore Taluk Police Station, daily at 10.00 a.m. and 05.00 p.m., until further orders. Thereafter, the petitioners filed another petition before the said Court in Crl.M.P.No.1400 of 2026 seeking relaxation of the said condition. By order dated 02.04.2026, the learned trial Judge dismissed the said petition. Aggrieved by the same, the present petition has been filed before this Court.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioners further submits that the petitioners have been regularly complying with the conditions imposed on them. Since they are the sole breadwinners of their families, they find it difficult to comply with the condition requiring them to stay in Tanjore District. Hence, he prays for relaxation of the said condition.
5. Considering the nature of the offences and the reasons stated by the petitioners, and also considering the fact that the petitioners have been complying with the conditions imposed on them without fail, this Court is inclined to set aside the order dated 02.04.2026 in Crl.M.P. No.1400 of 2026, by relaxing the condition imposed on the petitioners in the order dated 18.03.2026 in Crl.M.P.No.1208 of 2026. Accordingly, the order dated 02.04.2026 passed in Crl.M.P.No.1400 of 2026 by the learned Principal Sessions Judge, Madurai, is hereby set aside, and the condition imposed on the petitioners in the order dated 18.03.2026 in Crl.M.P.No.1208 of 2026 is hereby modified to the effect that the petitioners shall report before the respondent police at 10.30 a.m. on the first working day of every English calendar month for a period of three months. All other conditions shall remain unaltered.
