Venkatesan @ Venkatesh v. The State Rep.By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 24-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 7250 of 2026 Venkatesan @ Venkatesh ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State rep.by, Inspector of Police, Deevattipatti Police Station, Salem District.

Cr.No.52/2026.

..Respondent(s) CRL OP No. 7458 of 2026 Vijiyakumar @ Vijayakumar ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep. By Inspector of Police Deevattipatti Police Station, Salem District.

..Respondent(s) Common Prayer: Criminal Original Petitions filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioners on bail in the event of arrest a case in Cr.No.52 of 2026 on the file of the respondent. In both OP's:

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.C.Deepak Kumar For Respondent(s):

Mr. P. Dhileepan, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

COMMON ORDER The petitioners apprehend arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 7, 20(2) of COTPA Act, r/w. 275, 123 of BNS, 2023, in Crime No.52 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police seek anticipatory bail.

2. It is the case of the prosecution that the petitioners were found to be in possession of banned tobacco products weighing 754 kgs. worth about Rs.7 lakhs. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners are innocent persons and they have been falsely implicated in these cases. He further submits that they have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. Hence, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the investigation is still pending. Hence, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

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

6. From the submissions made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), petitioners have transported huge quantity of banned tobacco products. The nature of the offence alleged is grave and his action has a serious impact on society at large. Hence, granting anticipatory bail in cases involving narcotic substances, may send a wrong message to society at large.

7. In view of the above, this Court does not find any merit in the present anticipatory bail applications. Accordingly, these criminal original petitions are dismissed.

24-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order rap To

1. The Inspector of Police, Deevattipatti Police Station, Salem District.

2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN J.

rap 24-03-2026