Ragini v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 26.06.2023

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Ragini ... Petitioner Vs.

The State represented by, The Inspector of Police, Arakandanallur Police Station, Villupuram District.

(Crime No.59 of 2023).

... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C., pleased to enlarge the petitioner/accused on bail, in connection with the Crime No.59 of 2023, pending investigation on the file of the respondent Police.

For Petitioner : Mr.D.Balaji For Respondent : Mr.C.E.Pratap Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/6

O R D E R

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 30.05.2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 4(1)(A) & 4(1)(aa) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, in Crime No.59 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on receipt of secret information, the respondent Police and his team went to the scene of occurrence and conducted a search, wherein, they found that the accused were in illegal possession of 75 litres of illicit arrack. Hence the case.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and she has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioner is in custody from 30.05.2023 and she is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Cour, hence, he prayed to grant bail to the petitioner.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner (A2) along with other accused 2/6

was found to be in illegal possession of 75 litres of illicit Arrack. He further submitted that the 2 previous cases of similar nature are pending as 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 defense and contention, is ready and willing to deposit an amount of Rs.25,000/- as non-refundable deposit to any welfare scheme of the Government or to any shelter home. 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) for the respondent Police 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.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty five thousand only) as non refundable deposit to "St. Annes Home for Children", without prejudice to her rights and contentions before the trial Court.

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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 considering the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, 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.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty five thousand only) to the credit of "St. Annes Home for Children, Cruzpuram, Thoothukudi, (A/C.

No.001100050304673, IFSC:TMBL0000001, MICR:627060004, Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd., 56 & 57 Beach Road, Thoothukudi Main Branch, Thoothukudi - 628 001)" 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/- 4/6

(Rupees Ten thousand only) with two sureties, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thirukoilur, Villupuram District, 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]; 5/6

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA.,J.

ham [f] If the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

26.06.2023 ham To

1. The Judicial Magistrate, Thirukoilur, Villupuram District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Arakandanallur Police Station, Villupuram District.

3. The Special Prison for Women, Cuddalore.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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