Kannan Alias Balaji v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated : 09.01.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Kannan @ Balaji ... Petitioner Vs The State rep by The Inspector of Police, Bagayam Police Station Vellore Distirct.

Crime No.488 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.488 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.T. Vijayan For Respondent : Mr.Santhosh Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

Apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No.488 of 2024 registered

for the offence punishable under Section 6 (b), 24 (1) of COPTA Act, 2003 and 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),2023, the present petition has been filed seeking anticipatory bail.

2.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 person and a false case has been registered against him. He also submits that the petitioner, 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 89 kilograms of banned tobacco products. He would further submit that there are no previous cases against the petitioner.

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) each 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 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 Court - I, 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 concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and 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 their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity.

[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police everyday 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 abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 B.N.S.

09.01.2025 dpq

To

1. The Inspector of Police, Bagayam Police Station Vellore Distirct.

2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J, dpq 09.01.2025