Lakshmi v. Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 08.06.2023

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Lakshmi W/o Shri Soundar ... Petitioner Vs.

The State represented by, The Inspector of Police, Chetpet Police Station, Thiruvannamalai District.

(Crime No.188 of 2023).

... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C., pleased to enlarge the petitioner on bail, in connection with the Crime No.188 of 2023, pending investigation on the file of the respondent Police. For Petitioner : Mr.B.Manoharan For Respondent : Mr.C.E.Pratap Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/7

O R D E R

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 21.05.2023, for the offences punishable under Sections 4(1)(a) r/w 4(1-A) (ii) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, in Crime No.188 of 2023, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on receipt of a secret information, the respondent and his team conducted a search and they found that the accused was in illegal possession of 6 bottles of ID arrack (each contains 180 ml). Hence the case.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He also submitted that the petitioner is no way connected with the alleged offence and he is in custody from 21.05.2023, hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner was found to be in illegal 2/7

possession of 6 bottles of ID arrack (each contains 180 ml). He further submitted that no previous case is pending against the petitioner. Therefore, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

5. At this juncture, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner, without prejudice to her defence and contention, is ready and willing to deposit an amount of Rs.10,000/- to any welfare scheme run by the Government. He further stated that the petitioner is also ready to abide by any other stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the petitioner.

6. Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) and perused the materials available on record.

7. On considering the voluntary submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the credit of "The Dean/Medical Officer, Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvannamalai", without prejudice to her rights and contentions before the trial Court. 3/7

8. Merely, because the petitioner has deposited the said amount, it would not amount to admission of her 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 learned counsel on either side and also taking note of the fact that the petitioner has come forward to deposit an amount of Rs.10,000/- to the credit of "The Dean/Medical Officer, Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvannamalai", this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

10. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on condition to make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) directly to the credit of "The Dean/Medical Officer, Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvannamalai", without prejudice to her rights and contentions before the trial Court, on such deposit and production of proof, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on her executing 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 learned 4/7

Judicial Magistrate, Polur, and on further conditions that: [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, everyday 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 abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

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To

1. The Judicial Magistrate Polur.

2. The Inspector of Police, Chetpet Police Station, Thiruvannamalai District.

3. The Central Jail for Women, Thiruvannamalai.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA.,J.

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