Pandiyan v. The State Rep By Its, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated : 09.01.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Pandiyan ... Petitioner Vs The State rep by The Inspector of Police, Mangalampet Police Station Cuddalore District.

Crime No.270 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.270 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.J.Jayan For Respondent : Mr.S.Santhosh Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

Apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No.270 of 2024 Page No.1 of 6

registered for the offences punishable under Sections 274, 275 & 123 of BNS and Section 24(1) of the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, the present petition has been filed seeking anticipatory bail.

3. Pleading innocence on the part of the petitioner, false implication in the case, learned counsel for the petitioner seeks indulgence of this Court. He also submits that without prejudice to the defence and contention, he is ready and willing to deposit a sum of Rs.25,000/-, as non-refundable deposit to any welfare scheme of the Government or any organization. He further submits that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court.

3. 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 to be in illegal possession of 41 kilograms of banned tobacco products and the petitioner is the seller. He would further submit that the entire tobacco products of 41 kilograms have been recovered from the petitioner and he has one previous Page No.2 of 6

case pending 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.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) to the District Legal Services Authority, Virudhachalam 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 petitioner 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-II, Virudhachalam 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 Page No.3 of 6

satisfaction of the said Magistrate, on further condition that: [a] if the petitioner fail 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.

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1. The Inspector of Police, Mangalampet Police Station, Cuddalore District.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA , J.

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