Settu v. The Sub Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated : 28.01.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Crl.O.P.No.248 of 2025 Settu ... Petitioner Vs The State rep by Vellore North Police Station, Vellore District.

Crime No.516 of 2024.

... Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest by the respondent Police in Crime No.516 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.Thangavel.M.R.

For Respondent : Mr.S.Santhosh Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

Apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No.319 of 2024 registered for the offences punishable under Sections 5 & 7(3) of the Lotteries Regulation Act 1998 and Section 318 (4) of BNS, 2023, the present petition has been filed seeking anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was in illegal possession of banned lottery tickets with intent to sell them to the general public. Hence, the case 3.

Pleading innocence on the part of the petitioner, false implication in the case, learned counsel for the petitioner seeks indulgence of this Court. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent and that a case of possession of banned lottery has been fabricated against them. He further submits that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court.

4. The case of the prosecution as put forth by the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent Police, opposing for grant of anticipatory bail, is that the petitioner was found in illegal possession of banned lottery tickets. He further submitted that the petitioner is having four previous case against him.

4. Considering the voluntary submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees

Ten Thousand only) to the District Legal Services Authority, Vellore, without prejudice to the right of defence before the Trial Court and making it clear that it would not amount to admission of guilt.

5. Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Advocate (Crl. 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 and accordingly, he 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-IV, Vellore on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten 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] if the petitioner fails to surrender before the said Magistrate within a period of fifteen days, this Order shall stand automatically cancelled;

[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.

28.01.2025 dpq

To

1. The Sub Inspector of Police Vellore North Police Station, Vellore District.

2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J, dpq Crl.O.P.No.248 of 2025 28.01.2025