N.Ramesh v. State By
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 23.02.2026 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR Crl.O.P.No.4355 of 2026 N.Ramesh ... Petitioner -vsState Rep by, The Inspector of Police, PEW, Anna Nagar, Chennai.
(Crime No.8 of 2026) ... Respondent Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.8 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police.
For Petitioner :
Mr.T.Muthu Krishnan For Respondent :
Mr.A.Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl. Side) *********
ORDER
The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 10.01.2024 for the alleged offence punishable under Sections 4(1)(A) and 4(1) (C) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2024 in Crime No.8 of 2026, registered on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 1/5
2. The allegation against the petitioner is that he was found in possession of 50 liquor bottles, each containing 750 ml and that the liquor was transported from Puducherry to Tamil Nadu. Hence, the complaint was lodged and the petitioner was arrested and is in judicial custody.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the properties were recovered from the petitioner and that a sum of Rs.1,200/- was also seized. He further submitted that the petitioner is in judicial custody since 10.01.2026. Further, he further submitted that this Court has dismissed in Crl.O.P.No.2221 of 2026, on 02.02.2026 Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.
4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that it is a case of seizure and illegal transportation of liquor from Puducherry to Tamil Nadu. He further submitted that the quantity involved is a huge quantity and that the petitioner has two previous cases of different offences pending against him. Hence, he opposed to grant bail to the petitioner. 5.Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record. 6.Considering the nature of the allegations, the huge quantity of liquor involved, and the fact that the petitioner has two previous cases pending against him, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. 2/5
7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing 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 V Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, and on further conditions that: [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, daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of three weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation.
[c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;
[d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the 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 3/5
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. 23.02.2026 nvi Note:
1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.
2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code.
To 1.The V Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore. 2.The Inspector of Police, PEW, Anna Nagar, Chennai.
3.The Central Prison, Puzhal.
4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.
4/5
K. RAJASEKAR, J.
nvi Crl.O.P.No.4355 of 2026 23.02.2026 5/5