Punitha v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 01.04.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN CRL OP NO. 9593 of 2025 Punitha Petitioner/A1 Vs The State Rep by, The Inspector of Police, Palaiyur Police Station, Mayiladuthurai District.

(Crime No.47 of 2025) Respondent Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 to enlarge the petitioner/Accused on anticipatory bail in the event of arrest in Crime No. 47 of 2025 pending on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner :

M/s.P.Krishna Moorthy For Respondent :

Mr.S.Balaji Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 4(1)(A) of the TN Prohibition Act, in Crime No.47 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

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2.

The case of the prosecution is that the co-accused/A2 & A3 were found transporting 620 bottles of illicit arrack, viz. 155 bottles containing 180 ml and Shield Pondy Arrack, each containing 180ml and the petitioner was implicated on the confession of the co-accused. 3.

The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent; that she has been falsely implicated in this case; that she was sought to be implicated on the confession of the coaccused/A2 & A3, that the co-accused were arrested and released on bail and in any case, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required and sought anticipatory bail.

4.

The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police while opposing the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, reiterated the prosecution case and on instructions submitted that the contraband were seized and that the petitioner has three previous cases registered during the years 2021, 2022 and 2025. 2/6

5.

Taking note of the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegations, submissions made by the learned counsels on either side, the contraband were seized, that the petitioner is on bail in other previous cases; that the petitioner is sought to be implicated on the confession of the co-accused; and since, custodial interrogation is not required for the purpose of investigation, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. 6.

Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on her appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, before the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Tharangambadi on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only), with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the said Magistrate, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that:

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[a] the petitioner and 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.

[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10:30 a.m., until further orders.

[c] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[d] the petitioner shall not abscond 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].

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

.

01.04.2025 vca SUNDER MOHAN, J.

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vca To:

1.

The Inspector of Police, Palaiyur Police Station, Mayiladuthurai District.

2.

The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Tharangambadi.

3.

The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court.

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