Lakshmidevi v. The State Rep. By Its Inspector Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 16.05.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR Crl.O.P.No.15040 of 2025 Lakshmidevi .. Petitioner Vs.
The State rep by The Inspector of Police, Ulundurpet Police Station, Kallakurichi District.
(Crime No.239 of 2025) .. Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest in Crime No.239 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.Krishnasamy Chinnasamy For Respondent : Mr.V.Meganathan Government Advocate(Criminal Side)
ORDER
The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 123 BNS, r/w Section 24
(1) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, COTPA Act , in Crime No.239 of 2025, seeks anticipatory bail. Page No.1 of 6
2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused were found in illegal possession of banned tobacco products namely, 720 packets of Hans, 368 packets of Cool lip, 1380 packets of Vial and 1530 packets of tobacco. Hence, the case. 3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and she has been falsely implicated in this case. On instructions, he would further submit that the petitioner is ready to deposit an amount of Rs.10,000/- to the Adyar Cancer Institute (WIA), East Canal Bank Road, Adyar, Chennai, and the co-accused were granted bail by this Court in Crl.O.P. Nos. 14426 & 14616 of 2025 dated 08.05.2025 and prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4.The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police, while opposing the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner, reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the contraband was seized from the petitioner. He further submitted that petitioner has one previous case.
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5.Taking into consideration the facts of the case and the submissions made by the learned counsels and the co-accused were granted bail by this Court in Crl.O.P. Nos. 14426 & 14616 of 2025 dated 08.05.2025 and also taking note of the fact that the petitioner has come forward to deposit an amount of Rs.10,000/- to the Adyar Cancer Institute (WIA), East Canal Bank Road, Adyar, Chennai, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. 6.Accordingly, the petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.
10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) by way of Demand Draft to the Cancer Institute (WIA), East Canal Bank Road, Adyar, Chennai, and on such deposit the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on her appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court No.I, Ulundurpet, 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 respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, Page No.
failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that:
[a] the petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) by way of Demand Draft to the Cancer Institute (WIA), East Canal Bank Road, Adyar, Chennai.
[b] if the petitioner fails to surrender before the said Magistrate within a period of fifteen days, this Order shall stand automatically cancelled;
[c] The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the Application for Suretyship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify proofs to ensure their identity;
[d] the petitioner shall report before the respondent Police daily at 10.30 a.m until further orders; [e] the petitioner shall not directly or indirectly cause any threat to the defacto complainant and witnesses and shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;
[f] the petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation by a Police office as and when required; [g] the petitioner to give an undertaking that if required Page No.4 of 6
for being identified by witnesses during investigation or for Police custody beyond the first fifteen days, he shall comply to the directions as may be given by the Court in this regard; [h] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;
[i] 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];
[j] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS.
16.05.2025 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No rkp/ep Note :
1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.
M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.
rkp/ep Page No.5 of 6
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, Ulundurpet Police Station, Kallakurichi District.
2.The Judicial Magistrate No.I, Ulundurpet 3.The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai.
Crl.O.P.No.15040 of 2025 16.05.2025 Page No.6 of 6