CRL OP/9647/2026 of V.M.Jothimani Vs The State Rep. by its The Inspector of Police
CRL OP No. 9647 of 2026
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 24-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR
CRL OP No. 9647 of 2026
V.M.Jothimani
S/o.Late. V.Murugesan,
No. 128/70, Chamiers Road,
Raja Annamalaipuram,
Chennai 600 028.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
The State Rep. by its The Inspector of Police
Central Crime Branch -EDF Wing,
Team-III, Egmore,
Chennai 600 008.
(Cr.No. 484/2012)
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: This criminal original petition is filed under Sec.482 of CrPC/528,
BNSS, praying to set aside the docket order passed in Memo filed by the
petitioner CFR No. 658/2026 on 23.03.2026 on the file of Learned XI
Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet, Chennai and to take the memo on file and
pass appropriate orders.
CRL OP No. 9647 of 2026
For Petitioner(s): M.Sneha
For Respondent(s): Mr. Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam
Addl.Public Prosecutor.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
CRL OP No. 9647 of 2026
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Order
On 17.04.2026, this Court passed the following order:
“This Criminal Original Petition has been filed to set aside the
docketorder passed in Memo filed by the petitioner CFR No.658/2026 on
23.03.2026 on the file of Learned XI Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet,
Chennai and to take the memo on file.
2. The petitioner, who is arrayed as an accused in Crime No.484 of 2012,
had filed an anticipatory bail application in Crl.O.P.No.23324 of 2012 and this
Court by order dated 03.10.2012 granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner with
certain conditions. One of the conditions was that the petitioner has to deposit a
sum of Rs.50,00,000/- to the credit of Crime No.484 of 2012 before the learned
XI Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet, Chennai within a period of two weeks.
Pursuant to the said order, the petitioner had deposited Rs.50,00,000/- by way
of a demand draft drawn in State of India, Shri Nagar Colony Branch, Saidapet,
in term deposit account No.32617457879. On completion of investigation, a
charge sheet was filed and later it has been taken on file in C.C.No.229 of 2013.
After full fledged trial, the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Poonamallee by judgment
dated 19.01.2021 acquitted the petitioner. Against which, the defacto
complainant preferred an appeal in CA.No.46 of 2021 before the Sessions
Judge, Poonamalle. The II Additional District Judge and Sessions Judge,
Poonamallee by judgment dated 10.07.2023 dismissed the appeal confirming
the acquittal of the petitioner passed by the Trial Court.
3. The contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that the petitioner
has deposited Rs.50,00,000/- by way of a fixed deposit as it was one of the
conditions of the bail. It is not a case property and it has not been referred or
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CRL OP No. 9647 of 2026
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marked as a document during the trial. Now, the case has been ended in
acquittal and it was also confirmed by the Sessions Judge. Subsequently, the
petitioner filed return of the Fixed Deposit (FD) amount along with interest
before the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Poonamallee. However, it was informed
that there is no FD receipt available with them. Thereafter, the petitioner
approached the XI Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet, seeking return of the FD.
The Magistrate had not entertained the petition, recording that the case records
had been transferred to Judicial Magistrate No.I, Poonamallee. Thus, the
petitioner is made to run from one Court to other to get back the amount
deposited by him that too after getting the acquittal order.
4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) submitted that the
petitioner earlier approached this Court in Crl.MP.No.24448 of 2025 in
Crl.O.P.No.23324 of 2012 seeking to return the fixed deposit along with interest
and this Court by order dated 02.01.2026 had directed the Chief Judicial
Magistrate, Tiruvallur to verify the same and pass suitable orders. Thereafter,
the petitioner had approached the Chief Judicial Magistrate and on the
direction of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the petitioner had approached the
Judicial Magistrate No.I, Poonamallee. Later, it was came to know that FD
receipt is still retained by the XI Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet and
therefore, the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Poonamallee sent a communication
dated 16.04.2026. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) fairly
submitted that it is to be ascertained where the FD receipt is now available.
5. In view of the above submissions, this Court directs the XI
Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet, Chennai to verify the records, ascertain the
availability of FD receipt and report before this Court on or before 27.04.2026.
6. Post the matter on 27.04.2026”
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CRL OP No. 9647 of 2026
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2. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent
police submitted that the Fixed Deposit Receipt has been identified and is
presently in the custody of the learned XII Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet,
Chennai.
3. In view of the same, the learned XII Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet,
Chennai, is directed to return the Fixed Deposit amount of Rs.50,00,000/-
deposited with State Bank of India, Sriramnagar Branch, Saidapet, Chennai, in
Term Deposit Account No.3261745789, along with accrued interest, if any, to
the Petitioner.
With the above direction, this Criminal Original Petition is disposed of.
No costs.
24-04-2026
Index: Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation: Yes/No
JRS
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
CRL OP No. 9647 of 2026
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To
1.The XI Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet, Chennai .
2.The Inspector of Police
Central Crime Branch -EDF Wing,
Team-III, Egmore,
Chennai 600 008.
(Cr.No. 484/2012)
3.The Public Prosecutor,
High court of Madras.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
CRL OP No. 9647 of 2026
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M.NIRMAL KUMAR J.
JRS
CRL OP No. 9647 of 2026
24-04-2026
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis