Asharaf Ali v. The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Asharaf Ali ..Petitioner Vs State represented by The Inspector of Police Keelaiyur Police Station, Nagapattinam District.

Crime No. 23/2026.

..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No. 23 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner:

Mr.N.Palanivel For Respondent:

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

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 11.02.2026 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 123, 228, 318 of BNS Act and Section 6, 24(1) of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act and Section 192(B)(iii) of Motor Vehicles Act in Crime No.23 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seek bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was found in possession of 650 kgs of banned tobacco products. Hence, the case.

3. The 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 was arrested on 11.02.2026 and since then he has been in judicial custody. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent strongly opposed the bail application on the ground that petitioner has about two previous cases pending against him. He would further submit that if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, there is every possibility of his committing further offences. Hence, he opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side.

6. Considering the nature of allegations that huge quantity of tobacco products was involved in this case and the petitioner has two previous cases, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 12-03-2026 sma To

1. The Inspector of Police Keelaiyur Police Station, Nagapattinam District.

2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

sma 12-03-2026