M.G.R. v. Station House Officer,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 25.07.2023

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G.CHANDRASEKHARAN M.G.R

...Petitioner

Vs.

Station House Officer, Kallakurichi, Police Station, Kallakurichi & District.

(Crime No.187 of 2023)

...Respondent

PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.187 of 2023 pending on the file of the Station House Officer, Kallakurichi, Police Station, Kallakurichi & District.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Prabudoss For Respondent : Mr.S.Rajakumar Additional Public Prosecutor 1/6

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 19.05.2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c), 8(b), 20(a)(i), 20(b)(ii)(B) NDPS Act, 1985 in Crime No.187 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, petitioner is falsely implicated as an accused in Crime No.187 of 2023 for the offences under Sections 8(c), 8(b), 20(a)(i), 20(b)(ii)(B) NDPS Act, 1985. Petitioner is in judicial custody from 19.05.2023. Thus, he prays for grant of bail.

3. In reply, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) opposes this petition, on the ground that, on 18.05.2023 at about 13.38 hours, respondent police found the accused with a white colour plastic bag under suspicious circumstance, near Vellarikaadu. After following the necessary procedure, accused was searched and it was found that, accused had cultivated 50 ganja plants weighing 6 kgs. Ganja was seized and case came to be registered. Therefore, he prays for dismissal of this bail petition.

4. Considering the fact that, petitioner was found with 6 kgs of ganja 2/6

plants and that petitioner is in judicial custody from 19.05.2023 and that the material part of the investigation is over, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner and the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Sankrapuram Kallakurichi and 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 without prejudice to his defence shall deposit a non-refundable sum of Rs.25,000/-, by way of Demand Draft to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund, Finance (CMPRF) Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009, Tamil Nadu, India, Indian Overseas Bank, Secretariat Branch, Chennai 600 009, S.B.Account No.11720 10000 00070, IFS Code IOBA0001172, CMPRF PAN: AAAGC0038F and that the receipt of such payment shall be produced before the concerned Magistrate at the time of executing the bond; It is 3/6

made clear that merely, because the petitioner deposits the said amount, it would not amount to admission of his guilt. Therefore, it is open to the trial Court to deal with the case independently.

[c] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.00 a.m., and 5.00 p.m., until further orders.

[d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

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

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[g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

25.07.2023 gd To 1.The Judicial Magistrate, Sankrapuram Kallakurichi & District. 2.The Central Prison.

Cuddaore & District.

3.Station House Officer, Kallakurichi, Police Station, Kallakurichi & District.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

G.CHANDRASEKHARAN. J.

gd 5/6

25.07.2023 6/6