Arunkumar v. State Rep.By
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 07.10.2020
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Crl.O.P.No.15885 of 2020 1.Arun Kumar ... Petitioners 2.Veeramani Vs.
The State rep by ... Respondent The Inspector of Police, Chidambaram Town Police Station, Cuddalore District.
(Crime No.1614 of 2020) Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 439 Cr.P.C. to enlarge the petitioners on bail, pending investigation of the case in Crime No.1614 of 2020 on the file of the respondent. For Petitioners : Mr.T.Gobinath For Respondent : Mr.T.Shunmugarajeswaran Government Advocate (Crl. Side)
ORDER
(The case has been heard through video conference) The petitioners, who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 09.09.2020 for the offences punishable under Section 273, 328 IPC r/w 24 (1) of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, in Crime No.1614 of 2020, on the file of the respondent police, seek bail.
2.The case of the prosecution is that when the defacto complainant conducted a search on secret information, the petitioners were illegally found in possession of 30 boxes of Hans Packet consisting 3000 Hans pieces (totally 22 kgs. of tobacco products) worth to the tune of Rs.45,000/-. Hence, this complaint. 3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent and they have been falsely implicated in this case. On instructions, he would further submit
that taking into consideration of the Covid pandemic situation, the petitioners without prejudice to his defence, are prepared to make considerable donation to any charitable Organization or Association, and that the petitioners have been suffering incarceration from 16.09.2020.
4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) would vehemently oppose stating that the petitioners were illegally found in possession of banned tobacco products and the respondent police have seized 22 kgs of contraband worth Rs.45,000/- from them. He would further submit that there are no other cases pending against the petitioners.
5.In order to curb the illegal activities and taking into consideration the voluntary submission made by the petitioners offering to donate/pay considerable amount to any charitable organization or association this Court is of the opinion that the petitioners shall be directed to deposit jointly a sum of Rs.30,000/- (Rupees Thirty Thousand only) as non-refundable deposit through RTGS/NEFT in favour of the Cancer Institute (WIA) (Regional Cancer Centre), Adyar, Chennai - 600020, bearing A/c.No.149710011005477, Andhra Bank, Madhya Kailash Branch, on such payment and production of proof, they shall be released on bail on further condition to execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Ten Thousand only) each with two sureties each for a likesum sum to the satisfaction of the the learned Judicial Magistrate No.
II, Chidambaram, and on further conditions that; (b) Merely, because the petitioners deposit the said amount, it would not amount to admission of their guilt. Therefore, it is open to the trial Court to deal with the case independently. (c) the petitioners shall report before the respondent police every day at 10.30 a.m. until further orders.
(e) the petitioner shall not commit any offences of similar nature;
(f) the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;
(g) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;
(h) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Judicial 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];
(i) if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.
6. With the above directions, this Criminal Original Petition is ordered -sd/- 07/10/2020 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 II, CHIDAMBARAM.
2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE CUDDALORE. [FOR INFORMATION] 3 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.
4 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, CHIDAMBARAM TOWN POLICE STATION, CUDDALORE DISTRICT.
5 THE CANCER INSTITUTE (WIA) (REGIONAL CANCER CENTRE), ADYAR, CHENNAI - 600020, BEARING A/C.NO.149710011005477, ANDHRA BANK, MADHYA KAILASH BRANCH, 6 THE JAILER, SUB JAIL, PARANGIPETTAI.
7 THE JAILER, SUB-JAIL, CUDDALORE.
8 THE SUPERINTENDENT, CENTRAL PRISON, CUDDALORE.
+1 CC to M/S.T.GOBINATH Advocate on payment of necessary charges SR.NO.6682 CRL OP.15885/2020 Date :07/10/2020 TA-08/10/2020