Ranganathan v. State Rep. By Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 26.03.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Ranganathan

...Petitioner/Accused 1

Vs.

State rep by The Inspector of Police, P-2, Otteri Police Station, Chennai.

(Crime No.294 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.294 of 2025 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner :

Mr.B.J.Santhosh Kumar 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 05.03.2025, seeking bail in Crime No.294 of 2025 registered for the offence under Section 123 of BNS, 2023 and Section 24(1) of COTPA r/w Section 77 of JJ Act. 2.It is the case of the prosecution that the petitioner was found in illegal possession of 710 grams of banned tobacco products. Hence, the case.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent; that contraband has been seized; that he is in custody from 05.03.2025 and that in any case, considering the period of incarceration, further custody of the petitioner is not required and sought for bail.

4.Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) reiterated Page No.2 of 6

the prosecution case and submitted the contraband has been seized and there are four previous cases pending against the petitioner and he is on bail in those cases.

5.Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6.Considering the nature of allegations, period of incarceration, the fact that the contraband has been seized, the fact that the petitioner is on bail in the previous cases 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 X Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai - 600 008, 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.

26.03.2025 ata Copy to:

Page No.4 of 6

1.The Inspector of Police, P-2, Otteri Police Station, Chennai.

2.The X Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai - 600 008. 3.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

SUNDER MOHAN, J.

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