Ranga v. State Rep By

T.V.THAMILSELVI, J.

The petitioners, who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 31.05.2024 for the alleged offence under Sections 4(1)(aaa), 4(1-A), 4(1)(b), 4(1)(h), 14A of TNP Act r/w 420, 468, 471, 473 of I.P.C. in Crime No.337 of 2024, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on a secret information, when the respondent police conducted a regular vehicle check-up, they intercepted the petitioners' vehicle, however, on seeing the police, they drove the vehicle rashly, on chasing them, they caught hold of them. On search of secret room of vehicle, they found that the petitioners along with other accused have illegally transported 100 nos. of brown colour box ketp inside, which contains fake label printed Tamil Nadu liquor manufactures in Pondicherry car and seized the same. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that they have been falsely implicated in this case as if they were in possession of brandy bottles. In fact, there is no specific overtact attributed against the petitioners. He would submit that they have not at all committed any offence as alleged by the respondent police and they are no way connected with the occurrence. He would submit that no previous case pending against them and they are no way connected with the occurrence. He would further submit that the investigation is almost completed and they are suffering from incarceration from 31.05.2024 for more than 40 days. Hence, he prayed to grant bail to the petitioners.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for respondent would submit that totally, there are 7 accused involved in this case and the petitioners are arrayed as A2 and A4. He would submit that they were found in possession of brandy bottles and also committed forgery. He would submit that at this stage, if they are released on bail, they will tamper the witnesses and hamper the investigation. Hence, he

vehemently opposed to grant bail to the petitioners.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made by both counsel and also considering gravity of offence committed by the petitioners, they have illegally transported 100 nos. of brown colour boxes, which contains brandy bottles and also committed forgery and investigation is almost completed and also considering the fact that if they are released on bail, they may abscond and there is possibility of tampering the witnesses and hampering the investigation, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioners. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed.

11.07.2024 rpp

T.V.THAMILSELVI, J.

rpp 11.07.2024