Soundarapandi v. The State Rep.By

T.V.THAMILSELVI, J.

The petitioners, who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c) r/w 20(b)(ii)(C), 25 and 29(1) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 in Crime No.46 of 2022, on the file of the respondent police, seek bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on receiving a secret information, the respondent Police along with his team went to the scene of occurrence and they found the petitioners along with other accused were in illegal possession of 230 kgs of Ganja. Hence the case.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent person and they have nothing to do with the alleged offence. He further submitted that they are ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court and they are in judicial custody for more than 330 days. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioners.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that the petitioners along with the other accused were involved in illegal transportation of 230 kgs of Ganja, which is more than a commercial quantity. He would further submit that A6 in this case is still absconding and the final report has also been filed in C.C.No.187 of 2022 on 05.09.2022. Therefore, he vehemently opposed for grant of bail to the petitioners.

5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) and perused the materials available on record.

6.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made by both counsel and considering the gravity of offence committed by the petitioner and the final report has been filed, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioners.

7.Accordingly, these Criminal Original Petitions are dismissed. However, the learned trial Judge is directed to complete the trial with regard to these petitioners alone as expeditiously as possible, preferable within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

15.02.2023 vkr

T.V.THAMILSELVI, J.

vkr 15.02.2023