S.Sudalaimani v. The State Rep By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 10.03.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN S.Sudalaimani

...Petitioner/Accused 2

Vs.

State rep by The Inspector of Police, Thudialur Police Station, Coimbatore - 641 022.

(Crime No.107 of 2025) ...

Respondent PRAYER: This criminal original petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.107 of 2025 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner :

Mr.Ma.Mathew Berchmans For Respondent :

Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam Government Advocate (Crl. Side) Page No.1 of 6

ORDER

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 22.02.2025, seeking bail in Crime No.107 of 2025 registered for the offence under Sections 24(1) of COTPA r/w 123 of BNS, 2023.

2.It is the case of the prosecution that the petitioner/A2 along with the other accused was found in illegal possession of 6.690 kgs of banned tobacco products in his shop. Hence, the case. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case; that the contraband has been seized and that in any case, considering the period of incarceration from 22.02.2025, the petitioner may be released on bail. 4.Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that there is one previous case pending against the petitioner and he is on bail in that previous case and the Page No.2 of 6

contraband has been seized.

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 allegations, period of incarceration and the fact that the contraband has been seized and the petitioner is on bail in the previous case 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 Judicial Magistrate - 1, Coimbatore, and on further conditions that: [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Page No.3 of 6

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.

10.03.2025 ata Copy to:

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1.The Inspector of Police, Thudialur Police Station, Coimbatore - 641 022.

2.The Judicial Magistrate - 1, Coimbatore.

3.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Coimbatore.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

SUNDER MOHAN, J.

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