Madras High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Accused in Theft of ₹15.45 Lakh Worth of Dhotis and Saris
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed the plea for anticipatory bail filed by B. Saravanan, who is facing arrest in connection with the theft of 12,500 dhotis and saris worth ₹15.45 lakh. Justice V. Sivagnanam rejected the petition submitted by Saravanan.
According to the prosecution, the stolen goods, consisting of 12,500 dhotis and saris, were intended for free distribution to family cardholders during the festival of Pongal. These items were being stored in a room at the Madurai Collectorate under the custody of the Treasury Office. When the authorities tried to access the room to unload the goods, they discovered that the door had been forcibly opened and 125 bundles were missing.
Saravanan, who works as a field surveyor at the Collectorate, maintains that he has no involvement in the case. However, based on the confession of Sultan Alavudeen, four individuals including Ibrahim Sha, Kumaran, Manikandan, and Sultan Alavudeen himself have already been apprehended in relation to the theft. Saravanan claims to have been falsely implicated in the incident.
The Madras High Court’s decision to deny anticipatory bail to Saravanan indicates that the court finds sufficient merit in the police’s case against him. The stolen dhotis and saris, which were meant to be distributed for free during Pongal, represent a loss of ₹15.45 lakh. The court’s ruling emphasizes the seriousness with which such crimes are being treated and highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for theft and related offenses.
As the case progresses, it is expected that further evidence will be presented to ascertain the truth surrounding the theft and the involvement, if any, of B. Saravanan. The judicial system will continue to investigate and ensure a fair trial for all parties involved.
Overall, this incident serves as a reminder of the significance placed on protecting public resources and maintaining the integrity of free distribution programs. The verdict of the Madras High Court reaffirms the commitment of the Indian judiciary to address theft and related crimes promptly and diligently.
