Sakthivel v. The State By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 08.05.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI CRL.O.P.No.14384 of 2025 1.Sakthivel 2.Sasikumar ... Petitioners

Versus

The State Rep by The Inspector of Police, Tiruvannamalai East Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.

(Crime No.226 of 2025) ... Respondent Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, to enlarge the petitioners on bail in the event of their arrest by the respondent police in Crime No.226 of 2025 pending investigation on the file of Inspector of Police, Tiruvannamalai East Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.

For Petitioners :

Mr.A.Saravanan For Respondent :

Dr.C.E.Pratap, Government Advocate (Crl. Side) ********* 1/6

ORDER

The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences under Sections 4(1)(c), 4(1-A)(ii) and 14A of TN Prohibition Amendment Act, 2024 in Crime No.226 of 2025, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners found Voriyan Brandy 180 ML, 18 bottles of Pondicherry Liquors in Honda Activa bearing No. TN 25 BK 6136 and Voriyan Brandy 180 ML, 12 bottles of Pondicherry Liquors in Honda Dio bearing No. TN 25 BR 5760. Hence the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and they have been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the petitioner, without prejudice to the defence and contention, is ready and willing to deposit a sum of Rs.25,000/-, to any welfare scheme of the Government or any other organization. He further submits that the petitioners are ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this court. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail. 2/6

4. Learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police, the petitioners found Voriyan Brandy 180 ML, 18 bottles of Pondicherry Liquors in Honda Activa bearing No. TN 25 BK 6136 and Voriyan Brandy 180 ML, 12 bottles of Pondicherry Liquors in Honda Dio bearing No. TN 25 BR 5760. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

5. At this juncture, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioners, without prejudice their rights, on their own volition, are ready and willing to contribute some amount to any charitable trust as may be directed by this Court and he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

6. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record including the First Information Report.

7. Considering the arguments from both sides, the nature of the offence, and considering the fact that the petitioners without prejudice to their rights, on their own volition, are ready and willing to contribute some amount to any charitable trust and also considering other relevant aspects, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners, subject to certain 3/6

conditions.

8. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands allowed and the petitioners are ordered to be released on anticipatory bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.2, Tiruvannamalai on condition that the petitioner shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only), each, with two sureties for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned and on further condition that: [a] the petitioners shall make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) jointly to the credit of Ray of Light Foundation, Account No: 50100078904233, HDFC Bank, Habibullah Road, T.

Nagar, Chennai, IFSC Code: HDFC0001864, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and shall produce the said receipt before the Court below. (b) the petitioners shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of 30 days and thereafter as and when required for interrogation.

[c] the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[d] the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or 4/6

trial.

[e] 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 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.2023.

08.05.2025 rna Note to Registry:

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 Inspector of Police, Tiruvannamalai East Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

3.The Judicial Magistrate No.2, Tiruvannamalai. 5/6

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

rna Crl.O.P.No.14384 of 2025 08.05.2025 6/6