Balamurugan (A-1) v. The State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 04-02-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR CRL OP NO.2476 of 2026 Balamurugan ... Petitioner/ A1 Vs The State rep. by, The Inspector of Police, Annamalai Nagar Police Station, Cuddalore District.

(Crime No.14 of 2026) ... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to grant bail to the petitioner/accused in Crime No.14 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner(s) :

Mr. A. Vinoth Kumar For Respondent(s) :

Mr. A. Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl. Side) ******* 1/4

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 11.01.2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 275, 123 of BNS Act, 2023 r/w 24(1) of COTPA Act, 2003 in Crime No.14 of 2026, registered on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 2.

The case of the prosecution is that on 11.01.2026 based on a specific information, the respondent went to Kadancheri Bridge Town and intercepted a car bearing Registration No.TN-20-CK-6951 in which the petitioner herein along with two other accused were travelling; that upon searching the car, it is found that the petitioner and other accused were involved in illegal transportation of banned tobacco products namely 1500 packets of Hans, 80 packets of cool lip, 39 numbers of addictive chocolates, 37 numbers of addictive power and 59 numbers of Miraj packets. Hence, this case.

3.

The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case by the respondent for the statistical purpose; that the petitioner is in judicial custody since 11.01.2026; and that the petitioner is ready to abide by any condition that may be imposed by this Court and sought for bail to the petitioner. 2/4

4.

The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent while opposing the bail to the petitioner reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that there are totally three accused involved in this case and the petitioner herein is arrayed as A1; that the seized tobacco products worth about Rs.2 lakhs; that the petitioner has two previous cases; and that the investigation of this case is pending. 5.

Considering the submissions made on both sides, the nature of offence, the previous antecedents of the petitioner and taking note of the fact that huge quantity of banned tobacco products involved in this case, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. 6.

Accordingly, this criminal original petition stands dismissed. 04.02.2026 stn 3/4

K. RAJASEKAR, J.

stn To

1. The Inspector of Police, Annamalai Nagar Police Station, Cuddalore District.

(Crime No.14 of 2026)

2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

Crl.O.P. No.2476 of 2026 04.02.2026 4/4