Jeyachandran @ Jayachandran Prabhu v. The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 15.04.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Crl.O.P.No.11025 of 2025 Jeyachandran @ Jayachandran Prabhu ... Petitioner/Accused-2 Vs.

The State represented byThe Inspector of Police, F-3, Nungambakkam Police Station, Chennai.

(Crime No.232 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.232 of 2025 pending investigation on the file of the respondent Police. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Veerakumar 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 12.03.2025, seeking bail in Crime No.232 of 2025 registered for the offence under Sections 274, 275 & 123 BNS r/w 24(1) of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Acts, 2003. 1/4

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused were found in illegal possession of 3.5 kgs of banned tobacco products. Hence, the case.

3.Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case; that the contraband has been seized and that the petitioner is in custody from 12.03.2025 and hence, he 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 one previous case and that the contraband has been seized from the petitioner. 5.Considering the nature of allegations, the period of incarceration and the fact that though the petitioner has one previous case, he is on bail in that case 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. 2/4

6. 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 learned XIV Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, 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.

15.04.2025 rkp 3/4

SUNDER MOHAN., J.

rkp To 1.The XIV Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, Chennai. 2.The Inspector of Police, F-3, Nungambakkam Police Station, Chennai.

3. The Superintendent, Central Prision, Puzhal.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. Crl.O.P.No.11025 of 2025 15.04.2025 4/4