Ranjith Kumar v. The State Rep By Its, The Inspector Of Police
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 28.05.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K. GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI Crl.O.P.No.16091 of 2025 Ranjith Kumar .. Petitioner/Accused 1 Vs.
The State rep by The Inspector of Police, Chettipalayam Police Station, Coimbatore District.
(Crime No.158 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 his arrest in Crime No.158 of 2025 on the file of the respondent Police.
For Petitioner : Mr.M.N.Balakrishnan For Respondent : Mr.L.Baskaran Government Advocate(Crl.Side) Page No.1 of 6
ORDER
The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 14.05.2025 for the offences punishable under Section 303(2) of BNS, 2023 and Section 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in Crime No.158 of 2025, seeks bail. 2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with the other accused had illegally transported 3 unit of gravel sand in a vehicle bearing Registration No.TN-37-EA-5995. Hence, the case. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the allegations are false. He would further submit that the contraband has been seized. He would further submit that the petitioner is in custody from 14.05.2025 and hence, further custody is not required. He would further submit that the petitioner, without prejudice to his defence and contention, is ready and willing to deposit an amount of Rs.10,000/- as non-refundable deposit to any welfare scheme of the Government or any other organization. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner. Page No.2 of 6
4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the petitioner is the driver of the vehicle and that the contraband and the vehicle were seized.
5.Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
6.Considering the nature of allegations, the period of incarceration, the fact that the contraband was seized, the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner and since further custody of the petitioner is not required for the purpose of investigation, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions:
7.Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.10,000/- [Rupees Ten Thousand Only] directly to the credit of "District Legal Services Authority, Coimbatore District", without prejudice to their rights and contentions before the trial Court, on such deposit and production of proof, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Page No.3 of 6
Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Madukarai, 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., for a period of two months and thereafter, as and when required for investigation.
[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];
[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered Page No.4 of 6
under Section 269 B.N.S.
28.05.2025 ata/rkp 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 official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code.
To 1.The Inspector of Police, Chettipalayam Police Station, Coimbatore District.
2.Central Prison, Coimbatore.
3.The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Madukarai. 4.The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai.
K. GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI , J.
Page No.5 of 6
ata/rkp Crl.O.P.No.16091 of 2025 28.05.2025 Page No.6 of 6