A. Anthony Paulraj v. The State Rep By, The Sub-Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 11-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN A.Anthony Paulraj ..Petitioner Vs The State Rep. by The Sub-Inspector of Police, PEW Police Station, Thiruvannamalai District.

(Cr.No.35 of 2026) ..Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under section 483 of BNSS to grant bail to the petitioner in Crime No.35 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner:

Mr.M.Abdul Kareem For Respondent:

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

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 23.02.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 123 BNS r/w 8(c), 20(b)(ii) (A) of NDPS Act, in Crime No.35 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. This case has been registered against the petitioner and others for illegal possession of 150 grams of ganja.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case and that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the co-accused was released on bail by this Court in Crl.OP.No.6168 of 2026 dated 10.03.2026. He further submitted that the petitioner has been in custody since 23.02.2026 and is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that 150 grams of Ganja, which falls under intermediate quantity, was recovered from the petitioner and that there is one previous case against him. Hence, he opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

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

6. Considering the fact that the contraband involved is an intermediate quantity and though the petitioner has one previous case, taking into consideration the fact that the co-accused was already released on bail by this Court in Crl.OP.No.6168 of 2026 dated 10.03.2026 and period of incarceration

of the petitioner since 23.02.2026, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail, subject to the following conditions

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 District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Thandarampattu, and on further conditions that:

[a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the Application for Surety ship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m and 5.30 p.m. for a period of 30 days 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 aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned 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)13 SCC 283];

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

11-03-2026 DRL 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 District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thandarampattu.

2. The Sub-Inspector of Police, PEW Police Station, Thiruvannamalai District.

3. The Superintendent, Sub Jail, Thiruvannamalai.

4. The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN J.

DRL 11-03-2026