Jagabandhu Malik v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 16.03.2023

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Jagabandhu Malik ... Petitioner Vs.

The State represented by, The Inspector of Police, Perumanallur Police Station, Tiruppur District.

(Crime No.67 of 2023).

... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C., pleased to enlarge the petitioner/accused on bail, in connection with the Crime No.67 of 2023, pending investigation on the file of the respondent Police.

For Petitioner : Mr.C.S.Saravanan For Respondent : Mr.S.Sugendran Additional Public Prosecutor 1/7

O R D E R

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 22.02.2023, for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c) r/w 20(b)(ii)(B) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, in Crime No.67 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 21.02.2023, on receipt of a specific information, the respondent and his team conducted a search near New Tiruppur Roundana, during which, they found that the accused was in illegal possession of 1 Kilogram of Ganja. The respondent has arrested the accused and seized the contraband from him. Hence the case.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioner is no way connected with the alleged offence and he is in custody from 22.02.2023. Hence, he prayed to grant bail to the petitioner.

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4. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner was in illegal possession of 1 Kilogram of Ganja. He also submitted that the respondent has seized the contraband and arrested the accused. He further submitted that no previous case is pending as against the petitioner. However, he opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

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.10,000/- to any welfare scheme run by the Government. He further stated that the petitioner is ready to abide by any other stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the petitioner.

6. Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor and perused the materials available on record.

7. On considering the voluntary submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of 3/7

Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the credit of "The Dean/Medical Officer, Government Head Quarters Hospital, Tiruppur", without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court.

8. Merely, because the petitioner has deposited 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.

9. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions made by either side of the parties and also taking note of the fact that the petitioner has come forward to deposit an amount of Rs.10,000/- to the credit of the "Government Head Quarters Hospital, Tiruppur", this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

10. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on condition to make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) by way of RTGS/NEFT to the credit of "The Dean/Medical Officer, Government Head Quarters Hospital, Tiruppur", 4/7

without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court, 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.10,000/- (Rupees Ten thousand only) with two sureties, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Additional District Judge/Presiding Officer, Special Court for Essential Commodities Act Cases, Coimbatore, 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, 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 5/7

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 abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

16.03.2023 ham To

1. The Additional District Judge/Presiding Officer, Special Court for Essential Commodities Act Cases, Coimbatore.

2. The Inspector of Police, Perumanallur Police Station, Tiruppur District.

3. The Central Prison, Coimbatore.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA.,J.

ham 16.03.2023 7/7