Satheesh v. State Rep. By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 14-05-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P. DHANABAL CRL.O.P.No.13047 of 2026 Satheesh S/o.Palaniyappan ... Petitioner vs.

The State represented by The Inspector of Police, Sulur Police Station, Coimbatore District.

(Crime No.660 of 2025) ... Respondent PRAYER Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 438 CrPC, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of his arrest concerned in Crime No.660 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner:

Mr.C.S.Saravanan For Respondent:

Mr.A.Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The petitioner/accused, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 24(1) of COTPA Act, 2003 and Section 123 of BNS 2023 (328 IPC), in connection with Crime No.660 of 2025, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 08.07.2025, the respondent Police on secrete information went to the petitioner's residence and seized 363 kg banned tobacco products worth about Rs.3.52 Lakhs. Hence, the aforesaid case was registered.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case and that custodial interrogation is not required in this case. Hence, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) reiterated the prosecution case and would submit that investigation is pending and two previous cases are pending as against the petitioner. Hence, he strongly objected to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the rival submissions on either side and nature of offences alleged as against the petitioner, though the petitioner has some previous cases, all the cases are not similar in nature and in all cases, bail was granted to him, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner on certain

conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Sulur, 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, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further conditions that:

[a] the petitioner and 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 Palladam Police Station, Tiruppur, daily at 10.00 a.m., for a period of thirty (30) days and thereafter as and when required for interrogation.

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

[d] the petitioner shall not abscond 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 abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 B.N.S.

14.05.2026 ssb/mtl 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 Judicial Magistrate, Sulur.

2.The Inspector of Police, Sulur Police Station, Coimbatore District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Palladam Police Station, Tiruppur.

4.The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court.

P.DHANABAL, J.

ssb/mtl CRL.O.P.No.13047 of 2026 15.05.2026