Manikandan v. The State By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17-02-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Manikandan S/o.Mariyappan, No.23, Devandra Street, Punchaipuliyampatti, Erode -638459.

..Petitioner(s) Vs The State by, The Inspector of Police, Puliyampatti Police Station, Erode District.

(Crime No. 341/2025) ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: To enlarge on bail in the event of his arrest pending investigation case in Crime No. 341/2025 on the file of the respondent. For Petitioner(s):

M Karthik For Respondent(s):

M/S.J.R.Archana Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(B), 25, 29(1) of NDPS Act in Crime No.341 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner along with other accused found to be in possession of 1 kg 100 grams of ganja and same was sold to the general public, which led to the registration of an FIR. Hence, the present case.

3. This Court, earlier dismissed the anticipatory bail application of the petitioner vide order dated 12.12.2025 in Crl.O.P.No.34126 of 2025 on the following reasons:

"6. Considering the gravity and nature of offence, huge quantity of contraband seized and if the petitioner is granted bail that he will indulge in similar offences, hence, this Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner."

4. Now, after the dismissal of the earlier anticipatory bail application of the petitioner, this Court has granted bail to the one of the similarly placed coaccused, in Crl.O.P.No.3295 of 2026 vide order dated 11.02.2026.

5. Considering the above facts and circumstances, this Court is inclined to

grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Special Judge, Special Court for trial Essential Commodities Act, Coimbatore, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two sureties each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions: (a) If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned learned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

(b) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the application for surety ship (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify proofs to ensure their identity;

(c) The petitioner shall report before the respondent Police everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of four weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation; (d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the

conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560];

(e) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

17-02-2026 MPA To 1.The Special Judge, Special Court for trial Essential Commodities Act, Coimbatore.

2. The State by, The Inspector of Police, Puliyampatti Police Station, Erode District.

(Crime No. 341/2025) 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

K.RAJASEKAR, J.

MPA 17-02-2026