← Library
Madras High CourtCRL OP/16564/2023granted

Venkatesan v. State Rep By

2023-07-26Honourable Mr Justice G. Chandrasekharan6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 26.07.2023

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G.CHANDRASEKHARAN Venkatesan

...Petitioner

Vs.

The State Represented by, The Inspector of Police, Kallakurichi PEW, Kallakurichi District.

Crime No.221 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.221 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Gunasekar For Respondent : Mr.S.Rajakumar Additional Public Prosecutor 1/6

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 12.06.2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 468, 471, 473 of Indian Penal Code and 4(1)(g), 4(1)(aaa), 4(1-A) of TNP Act in Crime No.221 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, petitioner is an accused in Crime No.221 of 2023 for the offences under Sections 420, 468, 471, 473 of Indian Penal Code and 4(1)(g), 4(1)(aaa), 4(1-A) of TNP Act. He further submitted that, petitioner is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case. Petitioner is in judicial custody from 12.06.2023. Thus, he prays for grant of bail.

3. In reply, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposes this petition, on the ground that, on 12.06.2023 at about 18.30 hrs, when the respondent police based on secret information mounted a surveillance near Naduthoradipattu village, they found that the petitioner along with accused were found in illegal possession of 110 litres of ID arrack and 2/6

454 number of brandy bottles. He further submitted, apart from this case, there is no other previous case pending against the petitioner under Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act.

4. Considering the nature, facts and circumstances of the case and there is no similar previous case against the petitioner and the alleged liquor and brandy bottles were recovered and that petitioner is in judicial custody from 12.06.2023 and that the material part of the investigation might have been over by this time, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. Accordingly, 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, Sankarapuram and on further conditions that :- [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the 3/6

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/-(Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only), 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 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 10.30.a.m., until further orders.

4/6

[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]. [g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC. 26.07.2023 sma G.CHANDRASEKHARAN. J.

sma 5/6

To 1.The Judicial Magistrate, Sankarapuram 2.Central Prison.

Cuddalore.

3.The Inspector of Police, Kallakurichi PE Wing Police Station, Kallakurichi District.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

26.07.2023 6/6