Sridhar Manoharan v. The State Rep.By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Sridhar Manoharan ..Petitioner Vs The State rep.by The Inspector of Police, Peralam Police Station, Tiruvarur District.

[Cr.No.396 of 2025] ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest in Cr.No.396 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner:

Mr.Arulprakash D For Respondent:

Mr.N.Palanivel Government Advocate (Crl.side)

ORDER

The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Section 4 (1-A), 4 (1-A) (ii) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, in Crime No.396 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 27.08.2025, at about 03.00 a.m., the petitioner was found illegally transporting 20 bottles of 'Country Breeze Arrack', a Puducherry liquor banned by the Government of Tamil Nadu, concealed in hemp sacks. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any condition that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police, reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that there are no adverse antecedents against the petitioner. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the submissions of the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) that there are no adverse antecedents against the petitioner and noting that the FIR was registered on 27.08.2025, this Court is of the view that at this length of time, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail, subject to 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 (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned District Munsif and District Magistrate, Nannilam on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two sureties each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions:

(a) If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned learned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

(b) 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 identify proofs to ensure their identity;

(c) The petitioner/accused is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand Only) as nonrefundable deposit in favour of the Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai;

(d) The petitioner shall report before the respondent Police, daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation;

(e) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560];

(f) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

12-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order VEDA

To 1.District Munsif and Judicial Magistrate, Nannilam.

2. The Inspector of Police, Peralam Police Station, Tiruvarur District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

VEDA 12-06-2026