Arumugaraj v. State Rep By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 14.12.2020

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Crl.O.P.No.19852 of 2020 Arumuga Raj ... Petitioner Vs.

The State represented by The Inspector of Police, Tirupur Rural Police Station.

(Crime No.1509 of 2020) ... Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 439 Cr.P.C. praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.1509 of 2020 on the file of the respondent.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Vivekananthan For Respondent : Mr.T.Shunmugarajeswaran Government Advocate (Crl. Side) *****

O R D E R

(The case has been heard through video conference) The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 13.11.2020 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 328, 284 of IPC r/w Section 24(1) of COTPA Act, 2003, in Crime No.1509 of 2020 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused was in illegal possession of 580 Kg of banned Tobacco products. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case. On instructions, he would further submit that taking into consideration of the Covid pandemic situation, the petitioner without prejudice to his defence, is prepared to make considerable donation to any charitable Organization or Association, and that the petitioner has been suffering incarceration from 13.11.2020.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent would vehemently oppose stating that the petitioner was illegally found in possession of 580 Kg banned tobacco products worth about Rs.3,00,000/-.

5. In order to curb the illegal activities and taking into consideration of the voluntary submission made by the petitioner offering to donate/pay considerable amount to any charitable organization or association this Court is of the opinion that the petitioner shall be directed to deposit a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) as non-refundable deposit through RTGS/NEFT in favour of the The Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai, bearing A/c.No.10273425961, State Bank of India, Park Town (Chennai), 68, Evening Bazaar Road, Chennai, IFSC:SBIN0001856, on such payment and production of proof, he shall be released on bail on further condition to execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties each for a likesum sum to the satisfaction of the the learned Judicial Magistrate-IV, Tiruppur District, and on further conditions that;

(a) 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. (b) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police every day at 10.30 a.m. until further orders. (c) the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the learned Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity; (d) the petitioner shall not commit any offences of similar nature;

(e) the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

(f) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

(g) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Judicial 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];

(h) if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

6. With the above directions, this Criminal Original Petition is ordered.

-sd/- 14/12/2020 This order, on being produced, be punctually observed and carried into execution by all concerned TRUE COPY Sub-Assistant Registrar (Statistics/C.S.) High Court, Madras - 600 104.

TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, NO.IV, TIRUPPUR DISTRICT.

2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE TIRUPPUR [FOR INFORMATION] 3 THE SUPERINTENDENT, CENTRAL PRISON, COIMBATORE.

4 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

5 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, TIRUPPUR RURAL POLICE STATION.

6 THE DEAN, RAJIV GANDHI GOVERNMENT GENERAL HOSPITAL, CHENNAI, BEARING A/C.NO.10273425961, STATE BANK OF INDIA, PARK TOWN (CHENNAI), 68, EVENING BAZAAR ROAD, CHENNAI, IFSC:SBIN0001856 CC to M/S.R.VIVEKANANTHAN Advocate on payment of necessary charges CRL OP.19852/2020 Date :14/12/2020 cs 15/12/2020