← Library
Madras High CourtCRL OP/4306/2022granted

Lakshmanan v. The Inspector Of Police

2022-02-22Honourable Mr Justice R. Pongiappan3 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 22.02.2022

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.PONGIAPPAN Crl.O.P. No.4306 of 2022 Lakshmanan ... Petitioner / Accused versus State represented by The Inspector of Police, Melchengam, Thiruvanamalai District.

(Crime No.504 of 2021) ... Respondent / Complainant PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C., praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail pending investigation in Crime No.504 of 2021 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Sathyanathan For Respondent : Mrs.G.V.Kasthuri Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 21.01.2022 for the offences punishable under Sections 273, 328 of IPC r/w Sections 7(5), 20(2) of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 in Crime No.504 of 2021, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2.

The case of the prosecution is that on 17.12.2021, the petitioner was found in illegal possession of banned tobacco products viz. 25kgs of Gutka. Hence, the complaint.

3.

The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the petitioner is in judicial custody from 21.01.2022 onwards. Hence, he prays for bail.

4.

The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police raised objection stating that investigation is pending. However, she fairly admits that, the contraband, which was possessed by the petitioner, are all recovered by the Investigation Officer at the time of securing the petitioner. 5.

Considered the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on either side. The respondent police registered a case as against the petitioner for the offences punishable under Sections 273, 328 of IPC r/w Sections 7(5), 20(2) of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 and as of now, the material objects (contraband), which is necessary for completing the investigation, are all recovered by the respondent police. Since the present case has been registered for the above said offence, being the reason that the contraband has also been recovered, further custody of the petitioner is not necessary.

6.

Therefore, taking note of the above said aspects into consideration and having regard to the nature of offence committed by the petitioner and also by considering the period of incarceration, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner subject to certain conditions.

7.

Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail subject to the following conditions;

(a) the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Chengam;

(b) the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the learned Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar Card or Bank Pass Book to ensure their identity;

(c) the petitioner is directed to appear before the Karur Town Police Station daily at 10.00 a.m. until further orders;

(d) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

(e) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Judicial 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.

-sd/- 22/02/2022 This order, on being produced, be punctually observed and carried into execution by all concerned TRUE COPY Sub-Assistant Registrar (Statistics/C.S.) High Court, Madras - 600 104.

TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, CHENGAM.

2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE TIRUVANNAMALAI [FOR INFORMATION].

3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE MELCHENGAN, TIRUVANNAMALAI DISTRICT 4 THE SUPERINTENDENT, CENTRAL PRISON, VELLORE.

5 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

6 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KARUR TOWN POLICE STATION, KARUR.

+1 CC to M/S.P..SATHYANATHAN Advocate on payment of necessary charges SR.NO.2860 CRL OP.4306/2022 Date :22/02/2022 JPA 23/02/2022 JPA 24/02/2022