Lakshmi v. State Rep.By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 07.04.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Crl.O.P.No.10310 of 2025 Lakshmi ... petitioner/Accused Vs.

The State represented byThe Inspector of Police, H-6, R.K.Nagar Police Station, Chennai.

(Crime No.223 of 2025) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, pleased to enlarge the petitioner on bail, in connection with the Crime No.223 of 2025 pending investigation on the file of the respondent Police. For petitioner : Mr.D.Sugumar For Respondent : Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

O R D E R

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 22.03.2025, seeking bail in Crime No.223 of 2025 registered for the offence under Sections 24(1) of COTP Act and Section 7 and 9(ii) of TNPSS Act and Section 132 of BNS(2023). 1/5

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was found in illegal possession of 4 kgs 690 grams of banned Tobacco products. Hence, the case. 3.Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent and she has been falsely implicated in this case; that the contraband has been seized and that the petitioner is in custody from 22.03.2025 and hence, she may be released on bail.

4.Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police while opposing the grant of bail to the petitioner, reiterated the prosecution case and on instructions submitted that the petitioner has no bad antecedents and that the contraband has been seized from the petitioner. 5.Considering the nature of allegations and the period of incarceration, the fact that the petitioner has no bad antecedents and since further custody is not required for the purpose of interrogation, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

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6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on her 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 learned XV Metropolitan Magistrate, George Town at Chennai. [a] 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, daily 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.

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rkp To 1.The XV Metropolitan Magistrate, George Town at Chennai. 2.The Inspector of Police, H-6, R.K.Nagar Police Station, Chennai.

3. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Puzhal-III.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. 4/5

SUNDER MOHAN., J.

rkp Crl.O.P.No.10310 of 2025 07.04.2025 5/5