Bala v. The State Rep By, The Station House Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 06-05-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Bala No. 13, Pillaiyar Koil backside, Water tank Street, Odaively, Ariyankuppam,Puducherry 605 007 ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep by, The Station House Officer Ariyankuppam Police Station, Puducherry.

Crime.No. 166/2025 No. 13, Pillaiyar Koil backside, Water tank Street, Odaively, Ariyankuppam,Puducherry 605 007 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: This Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of BNSS Act, 2023 to grant an Anticipatory Bail to the petitioner in the event of his arrest in Crime No.166/2025 pending investigation on the file of the Respondent Police herein.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.K.Prakash For Respondent(s):

Mr.A.Gopinath Govt. Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

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 r/w 8(c) of NDPS Act and 77 of JJ Act r/w 3(5) of BNS Act, in Crime No.166 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail. 2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner and another accused were found in illegal possession of 15 grams of Ganja. Hence the complaint. 3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case and the petitioner has not committed any offence and he is ready to abide by any condition imposed by this court. He seeks this Court to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent submitted that the petitioner/A2 and another accused were found in illegal possession of 15 grams of Ganja. Hence, he prayed for dismissal of the anticipatory bail petition.

5.Considering the fact that the petitioner is ready to deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the Tamil Nadu Advocate Clerks

Association, High Court, Madras, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:

6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, 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 learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Puducherry, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order made ready and on further conditions that:

[a]the petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/-(Rupees Ten Thousand only), to the credit of Tamil Nadu Advocate Clerks Association, Account No.484026006, Indian Bank, High Court, IFSC.No: IDIB000M157 and that the receipt of such payment shall be produced before the concerned Magistrate at the time of executing the bond to ensure their identity; b) 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 Aadhaar card or bank pass book to ensure their identity. [c]the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two weeks and thereafter, as and when required. [d]the petitioner shall not tamper with the 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 is 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 269 of BNS.

06-05-2026 Uma Note:

1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code.

To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.I, Puducherry 2.The Station House Officer Ariyankuppam Police Station, Puducherry.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

Uma 06-05-2026