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Madras High CourtCRL OP/9352/2023granted

Meganathan (Mega) @ Megavannan v. Inspector Of Police

2023-06-06Honourable Mr Justice A.D.Jagadish Chandira7 pages

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 20(b)(ii)(A) of NDPS Act 1985, in Crime No.90 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 23.02.2023 at about 5.00 hrs., based on a secret information, the respondent police conducted search in the house of the petitioner and seized 10 grams of Ganja from his house of the petitioner. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that there is no previous case pending as against the petitioner and that the petitioner is ready and willing to furnish sufficient solvent sureties and to abide by any stringent

condition that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for the respondent would submit that based on a secret information, a search was conducted in the petitioner's house during which, the respondent police seized 10 grams of Ganja in the house of the petitioner. Hence, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. At this juncture, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner, without prejudice to his defense and contention, is ready and willing to deposit an amount of Rs.5,000/- to any welfare scheme run by the Government and would seek for anticipatory bail to th petitioner.

6. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on records.

7. Taking into consideration the voluntary submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) to the credit of the "The Dean/Medical Officer, Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital, Mundiyampakkam, Villupuram District", without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court.

8. Merely, because the petitioner deposits the said amount, it would not amount to admission of his guilt. Therefore, it is open to the trial Court to deal with the case independently.

9. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions made by the counsel on either sides and also taking note of the fact that the petitioner has come forward to deposit an amount of Rs.5,000/- to "The Dean/Medical Officer, Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital, Mundiyampakkam, Villupuram District", this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

10. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) directly to "The Dean/Medical Officer, Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital, Mundiyampakkam, Villupuram District", and on such deposit and on receipt of proof of payment, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Vanur, 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 learned Magistrate concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that:

[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 deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) directly to the "The Dean/Medical Officer, Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital, Mundiyampakkam, Villupuram District", to enable the Dean to use the aforesaid amount for the purpose of treating the alcohol influenced patients.

[c] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

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

[e] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[f] 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].

[g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

06.06.2023 jas

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

jas 06.06.2023