Ramanathan v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 25.06.2021

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Crl.O.P.No.10902 of 2021 Ramanathan ... Petitioner Vs.

State rep.by Inspector of Police, Poonamallee Police Station, Thiruvallur District.

Crime No.242 of 2021.

... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original petition has been filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C, prayed to enlarge the petitioners on bail in connection with the case in Cr.No.242 of 2021 pending investigation on the file of the respondent Police.

For Petitioner : Mr.J.Ganesh For Respondent : Mr.A.Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested on 12.04.2021 and remanded to judicial custody for the offences under Section 24(1) of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Product Act, 2003 r/w Section 328 IPC in Cr.No.242 of 2021, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was in illegal possession of 1376 kg of tobacco products and the same was seized by the respondent Police and registered a complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is no way connected with the alleged offence and he has been falsely implicated in this case and the petitioner has been in jail from 12.04.2021. Therefore, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner. However, the petitioner, on his own volition, is ready and willing to contribute a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- for the purpose of improving and maintaining the Government Schools.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that the petitioner was in illegal possession of tobacco and three previous cases are pending against him and the investigation is almost completed.

5. Considering the period of incarceration suffered by the petitioners and also the present COVID-19 pandemic situation and based on the undertaking given by the petitioner to contribute an amount, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:

(a)the petitioner shall make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) to the credit of the Chief Educational Officer, Thiruvallur District for the rehabilitation and improvement of the basic needs of the Government Schools in the said District under necessary acknowledgement, without prejudice to his defence before the trial Court and submit the proof of payment of the said amount before the aforesaid learned Judicial Magistrate, who after perusing the challan/ receipt/acknowledgement, shall accept the sureties furnished by the petitioner;

(b) the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) before the Jailer, Sub Jail, Ponneri, in which the petitioner is confined and on such execution the petitioner shall be released from prison;

(C) Within a period of four weeks after the release, the petitioner shall execute a bond for Rs.10,000/-(Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Poonamallee;. (d ) In case of any difficulty in executing the said bond along with the sureties before the concerned Magistrate within the time stipulated above, the petitioner is permitted to file appropriate petition within a period of four week therefrom before the concerned Magistrate for extension of time for executing the bond along with sureties and if any such application is filed, the concerned Magistrate shall decide on the grant of extension of time for accepting the bond and sureties in accordance with law.

Failing filing of any such application within the time prescribed above, the bail granted by this Court would stand automatically vacated. (e)the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity; (f)the petitioner shall report before the respondent police, daily at 10.30 a.m.

(g)the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

(h)the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

(i)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]; and; (j)if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A IPC.

7. In the result, this Criminal Original Petition is ordered and the Chief Educational Officer shall submit the necessary proof with regard to the expenditure incurred for the improvement/rehabilitation of the Schools in the District before the Director of School Education as and when such works are completed by utilising the money as ordered by this Court.

-sd/- 25/06/2021 This order, on being produced, be punctually observed and carried into execution by all concerned TRUE COPY Sub-Assistant Registrar (Statistics/C.S.) High Court, Madras - 600 104.

TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, NO.I, POONAMALLEE 2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE THIRUVALLUR(FOR INFORATION) 3 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

4 INSPECTOR OF POLICE, POONAMALLEE POLICE STATION, THIRUVALLUR DISTRICT.

5 THE OFFICER INCHARGE, SUB JAIL, PONNERI 6 THE CHIEF EDUCATIONAL OFFICER THIRUVALLUR DISTRICT.

CC to M/S.J.GANESH Advocate on payment of necessary charges Sr.6823 CRL OP.10902/2021 Date :25/06/2021 RVR 25/06/2021