Mohanamurugan v. State Rep.By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 03-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Mohanamurugan, S/o.Duraimurugan, No.355, Shakthi Illam, Kollatharam, Palakkad, Kerala - 678 581.

..Petitioner(s) Vs State Rep.by, The Inspector of Police, Ooty Town Central Police Station, Nilgiris District.

Cr.No.12 of 2026.

..Respondent(s) Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Cr.No.12 of 2026 on the file of the Respondent Police.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.P.Krishnakumar For Respondent(s):

Mr.S.Vinoth Kumar, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 22.01.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 8(c) r/w 20(B)(ii)(B), 25 and 29(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, in Crime No.12 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner is arrayed as A3, and the total quantity of ganja seized in this case is 17.550 kgs, of which 100 grams was recovered from the petitioner alone. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the co-accused has already been released on bail by this Court in Crl.O.P.No.4224 of 2026 dated 20.02.2026. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) strongly objected and submitted that the co-accused was in possession of only 100 grams of ganja, whereas the petitioner was found in possession of 17.550 kgs of ganja.

5. I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and also perused the records available.

6. Though the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that it is an intermediate quantity and that the rigour under Section 37(1)(b)(ii) of the NDPS Act would not apply, this Court is of the view that the quantity involved is on the higher side, namely 17.550 kgs, and that the petitioner has been in judicial custody since 22.01.2026 and the investigation also pending. In such

circumstances, this Court is not inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail at this juncture.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed. 03-03-2026 cda To 1.The Inspector of Police Ooty Town Central Police Station, Nilgiris District.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN J.

cda 03-03-2026