Arulraj v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Arulraj S/O Thangarasu, No.93 K, Mariyamman Kovil Street, Pasumpalur, Veppanthattai Taluk, Perambur District, TamilNadu-621117.

..Petitioner(s) Vs State represented by:

The Inspector of Police, Ramanatham Police Station, Cuddalore District.

(Crime No.133/2026) ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: This Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 483 of B.N.S.S. praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail pending investigation in the above Crime No.133 of 2026, on the file of the Respondent. For Petitioner(s):

M/D. A. Manivel For Respondent(s):

Mr. S. Yogaraja Sekar, Government Advocate (Criminal side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 18.05.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 123, 275 of B.N.S. read with Section 6(b) and 24(1) of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 in Crime No.133 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 18.05.2026, based on a secret information, the respondent police, on surveillance at Angel Foods and Beverage Shop at Thozhuthur, found the accused involving in transportation of banned Tobacco products through TATA ACE vehicle bearing Registration No.TN30-BP-5277 and on search, found 6 bags of HANS pockets and total recovery of contraband is 294 HANS pockets. Hence the case.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case. The learned counsel would further submit that the petitioner has been remanded to judicial custody on 18.05.2026 and he is ready to abide by any condition that may be imposed by this Court and hence prays for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal side) appearing for the respondent police has reiterated the prosecution case while opposing the bail application, however, he would fairly submit that the petitioner has no previous cases.

5. I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side.

6. In this case, the petitioner was remanded to judicial custody on

18.05.2026 for the possession of 294 pockets of HANS. Therefore, considering the incarceration period of the petitioner since 18.05.2026 and upon the fact that the petitioner has no bad antecedents, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail, subject to the following stringent conditions. At this juncture, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has volunteered to make non refundable deposit Rs.25,000/- to any one of the welfare of the scheme without prejudice to his defence.

7. Accordingly, 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 Judicial Magistrate, Thittagudi and on further conditions that: [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the Application for Surety ship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] The petitioner/accused is directed to produce a demand draft for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five thousand only) in favour of 'The Medical Officer, Govt. Primary Health Centre, Thozhuthur, Cuddalore District', (Non refundable) before the learned Judicial Magistrate,

Thittagudi;

(c) On production of the above Demand Draft, the learned Magistrate is directed to take necessary steps to hand over the same to the Medical Officer. Upon receipt of the said amount, the Medical Officer shall realise and utilise the same strictly in accordance with law for the welfare of the hospital;

(d) the petitioner shall appear and sign before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. until further orders; [d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [e] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

[f] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned 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)13 SCC 283]:

[g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

12-06-2026 MJS 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 the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code.

To

1. The Judicial Magistrate, Thittagudi.

2. The Inspector of Police, Ramanatham Police Station, Cuddalore District.

3. The Sub Jail, Virudhachalam.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

MJS 12-06-2026