P.Gnanapandian v. The State Rep By, The Inspector Of Police
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 06.02.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN P.Gnanapandian
...Petitioner/Accused-4
Vs.
State through The Inspector of Police, P6, Kodungayur Police Station, Kodungaiyur, Chennai - 600 118.
(Crime No.748 of 2024) ...
Respondent PRAYER: This criminal original petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.748 of 2024 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner :
Mr.S.Jaganathan For Respondent :
Mr.A.Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl. Side) Page No.1 of 7
ORDER
This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 23.10.2024, seeking bail in Crime No.748 of 2024 registered for the offence under Sections 8(c) r/w 22(c), 25 and 29(1) of NDPS Act, 1985.
2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with the other accused, was found to be in illegal possession of 245 grams of Methamphetamine in a car bearing Registration No.TN-10-AS-3477. Hence, the case.
3.Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioner is in custody from 23.10.2024 and he is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court. He further submitted that A5, A6 and A8 have been granted bail. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.
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4.Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police, while opposing for grant of bail to the petitioner, submitted that the petitioner along with the other accused, was found to be in illegal possession of 245 grams of Methamphetamine. He further submitted that co-accused were released on bail by this Court. 5.At this juncture, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner, without prejudice to his defense and contention, is ready and willing to deposit an amount of Rs.5,000/- as non-refundable deposit to any welfare scheme of the Government or any other organization. 6.On considering the voluntary submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.
5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) as non refundable deposit to "District Legal Services Authority, Chennai", without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court. Merely because the petitioner deposits the said amount, it would not amount to admission of his guilt. Therefore, it is open to the trial Court to deal with the case independently. Page No.
7.Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the respondent Police and perused the materials available on record.
8.Considering the nature of allegation and the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner and that co-accused have been granted bail, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.
9. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on condition to make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) to the credit of "District Legal Services Authority, Chennai", without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court and on such deposit and production of proof, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned X Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, and on further conditions that:
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[a] 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, everyday at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; [c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [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 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 269 B.N.S.
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Copy to:
1.The Inspector of Police, M-5, Ennore Police Station, Tiruvallur District.
2.X Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore.
3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.
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SUNDER MOHAN, J.
ata 06.02.2025 Page No.7 of 7