Vijay @ Sapottu v. State Rep By

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences under Sections 4(1)(aaa), 4(1-A) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, in Crime No.258 of 2022 on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that when the respondent Police and their team were on regular patrol, they found that the petitioners illegally transported 540 litres of ID arrack in a two wheeler.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent persons and they have been falsely implicated in this case. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners. However, on instructions, he would further submit that he is ready and willing to pay a sum of Rs.15,000/- each as non refundable deposit to the credit of COVID-19 SALEM DISTRICT.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor would submit that petitioners illegally transported 540 litres of ID arrack in a two wheeler. He would further submit that there is no previous case pending against the petitioners. However, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

5. Taking into consideration the facts of the case and the submissions made by the learned counsels, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners with certain conditions.

6. Accordingly, each of the petitioners shall deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) as non refundable deposit to the credit of COVID-19 SALEM DISTRICT; SB.A/c No : 190601000434; IFSC code : ICIC0006119; The Personal Assistant (General) to the Collector, Collectorate, Room No.117, First Floor, Salem-636 001, Ph.No.9445008148, and on such deposit the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the

event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Kallakurchi, Kallakurchi-District, on condition that each of the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that: [a] the petitioners and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity.

[b] the petitioners shall deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) each, as non refundable deposit to the credit of COVID-19 SALEM DISTRICT; SB.A/c No : 190601000434; IFSC code : ICIC0006119; The Personal Assistant (General) to the Collector, Collectorate, Room No.117, First Floor, Salem-636 001, Ph.No.9445008148, [c] the petitioners 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.

[d] the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[e] the petitioners shall not abscond 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 petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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 abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

25.08.2022 Anu

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

Anu 25.08.2022