Abdul Rashith v. The State Rep By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 14.10.2020

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Crl.O.P.Nos.16319 and 16324 of 2020 Abdul Rashith .. Petitioner in Crl.O.P.No.16319 of 2020 Akbar Ali .. Petitioner in Crl.O.P.No.16324 of 2020 Vs.

The State, Represented by its Inspector of Police, Nellikuppam Police Station Cuddalore (FIR 1509 of 2020) ... Respondent Common Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 438 Cr.P.C. to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.1509 of 2020 on the file of the respondent. For Petitioners in both petitions : Mr.Govind Chandrasekhar For Respondent in both petitions : Mr.M.Mohamed Riyaz Additional Public Prosecutor C O M M O N O R D E R (The case has been heard through video conference) The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 24 (1) of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act, 2003 in Crime No.1509 of 2020, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners along with other accused were found in possession of 730 kgs. of banned Tobacco products worth Rs.3,01,670/-. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned Counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent and they have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. On instruction, he would further submit that taking into consideration the present Covid pandemic situation the petitioners are prepared to donate/pay some considerable amount to any charitable organization or association without prejudice to their defence and prayed for grant of anticipatory bail.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor would submit that the petitioners were illegally found in possession of 730 kgs. of banned Tobacco products worth Rs.3,01,670/-. He would further submit that there are no previous cases pending as against the petitioners. However, he opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to 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 may be directed to donate/pay a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) each, to the "Satkaarya Trust, No.10/46, Periyar Street, Thenpalani Nagar, Kolathur, Chennai - 600 099, ICICI Bank, Kalipauk Branch, A/c.No.027801002323, IFSC Code No.ICIC0000278" without prejudice to their rights and contentions before the trial Court.

6. 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.

7. Taking note of the facts and circumstances, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners with certain conditions :

[a] The petitioners are directed to pay a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) each, either through RTGS/NEFT or in cash in favour of "Satkaarya Trust, No.10/46, Periyar Street, Thenpalani Nagar, Kolathur, Chennai - 600 099, ICICI Bank, Kalipauk Branch, A/c.No.027801002323, IFSC Code No.ICIC0000278" within fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready. Thereafter, the petitioners are directed to be released on bail in the event of their arrest or on their appearance and on production of proof of payment of the above amount and on further condition that the petitioners shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Ten thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the police officer who intends to arrest, failing which the petition for anticipatory bail shall stands dismissed automatically and on further condition that the petitioner shall also give a letter of undertaking before the respondent/police that the said amount has been paid in respect of particular crime number.

[b] the petitioners and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the respondent/police may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity.

[c] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two weeks and thereafter on every Monday at 10.30 am until further orders. [d] the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[e] the petitioners 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 petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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 229A IPC.

8. With the above directions, these Criminal Original Petitions are ordered.

-sd/- 14/10/2020 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, NO.I, CUDDALORE.

2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE CUDDALORE [FOR INFORMATION]

3 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

4 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, NELLIKUPPAM POLICE STATION, CUDDALORE.

5 THE SATKAARYA TRUST, NO.10/46, PERIYAR STREET, THENPALANI NAGAR, KOLATHUR, CHENNAI - 600 099, ICICI BANK, KALIPAUK BRANCH, A/C.NO.027801002323, IFSC CODE NO.ICIC0000278 +2 CC to M/S.GOVIND CHANDRASEKHAR Advocate on payment of necessary charges SR.Nos.6937 & 6938 CRL OPs.16319 & 16324/2020 Date :14/10/2020 cs 20/10/2020