Ashok Bharti v. State Rep.By, The Inspector Of Police,

CRL OP NO. 140 of 2025

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20.01.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA CRL OP NO. 140 of 2025 Ashok Bharti petitioner(s) Vs The Inspector Of Police, Karumathampatty Police Station, Coimbatore District.

Respondent(s) For petitioner(s):

A.Anandharaj For Respondent(s):

S.Santhosh Government Advocate (criminal Side).

ORDER

Apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No.580 of 2024, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 24(1) of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 r/w 123 of BNS, 2023, the present petition has been filed seeking anticipatory bail.

2.Pleading innocence on the part of the petitioner, false implication in this case, learned counsel for the petitioner seeks indulgence of this court. He would submit that he is innocent and no way connected with this case. He would further submit that he is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court. He would further submit that he has one previous case against him and without prejudice to his contentions, he is ready to deposit a considerable

amount to any Charitable Institution.

3.The case of the prosecution as putforth by the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police, opposing for grant of anticipatory bail, is that on 21.12.2024, at around 22.45 hrs., 399 Kgs of tobacco products worth about Rs.3,99,000/- seized from a Maruti Grand Vitra Car bearing Registration No.TN 66 AS 6225. The petitioner herein is A1 and he abandoned the vehicle and absconded. He would further submit that there is no previous case as against this petitioner.

4.Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, and the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) for the respondent Police and perused the materials available on record, this court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

5.Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and that there is no previous case pending against the petitioner, and taking into consideration the voluntary submission made by the petitioner offering to deposit a considerable amount to any charitable organization or association, this Court is of the opinion that as one of the conditions for grant of anticipatory bail, the petitioner may be directed to make a non-refundable deposit of a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) to the credit of "The District Legal Services Authority, Coimbatore District", without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court.

6.It is made clear that merely because the petitioner is depositing the amount, it would not amount to the petitioner admitting his guilt in the criminal case and such amount is being paid without prejudice to the right of the petitioner.

7.Accordingly, the petitioner shall make a non refundable deposit of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) by way of Demand Draft/RTGS/NEFT to the credit of "The District Legal Services Authority, Coimbatore District", and on such deposit and on receipt of proof of payment, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Sulur, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen thousand only), with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the said Magistrate, on further condition that:

[a] the petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of his Aadhar Card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

[c] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

[d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[e] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560]; [f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS.

20-01-2025 ah To 1.The Judicial Magistrate, Sulur 2.The Inspector Of Police, Karumathampatty Police Station, Coimbatore District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

ah CRL OP NO.140 of 2025 20.01.2025