Sankar v. State By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 03.03.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Sankar

...Petitioner/A1

Vs.

State, represented by The Inspector of Police, T3, Korattur Police Station, Chennai.

(Crime No.680 of 2024) ..Respondent PRAYER: This criminal original petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS to enlarge the petitioner on bail in C.C. No.923 of 2024 on the file of the I Additional Special Judge, under (NDPS & EC Act) Court at Chennai in Crime No.680 of 2024.

For Petitioner :

Mr.V.Muthu Pandi For Respondent :

Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner, who Page No.1 of 5

was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 12.08.2024, seeking bail in Crime No.680 of 2024 registered for the offence under Sections 8(c), r/w 20(b)(ii)(B) of the NDPS Act, 1985.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused was found to be in illegal possession of 1.250 Kilograms of Ganja. Hence, the case.

3.Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in the case. He further submitted that the contraband seized is intermediate quantity and that the petitioner is in custody from 12.08.2024. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4.Per contra, learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case. He further submitted that the contraband has been seized and that five previous cases are pending against the petitioner.

Page No.2 of 5

5.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.

6.Considering the nature of allegation and the period of incarceration, the fact that the contraband has been seized is intermediate quantity and the petitioner is on bail in all the other cases and since further custody of the petitioner is not required for the purpose of investigation, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. 7.Accordingly, 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 I Additional Special Judge under (NDPS & EC Act), Chennai 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 learned I Additional Page No.3 of 5

Special Judge under (NDPS & EC Act), Chennai, 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.

03.03.2025 rkp Copy to:

1.The Inspector of Police, T3 Korattur Police Station, Chennai.

2.Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.

3.The I Additional Special Judge under (NDPS & EC Act), Chennai. Page No.4 of 5

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

SUNDER MOHAN, J.

rkp 03.03.2025 Page No.5 of 5