Ranja @ Ranjith v. The State Rep By

C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J.

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offence punishable under Section 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(B) of NDPS Act, in Crime No.528 of 2023, with respect to an occurrence which took place on 22.11.2023, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. It is stated that the accused Nos. 1 to 3 were found in possession of 1.200 Kgs of Ganja. The Accused Nos. 1 and 3 had been arrested and the accused No.3 had been granted bail by this Court.

3. Taking all the factors into consideration, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

4. Accordingly, 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 on which the order copy made ready, before the II Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, 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 learned 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 daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required. Additionally, the petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- to the credit of Dean, Government Stanley Hospital, for treatment of needy patients.

[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 229A IPC.

22.01.2024 vsg

C.V.KARTHIKEYAN , J.

vsg 22.01.2024