Sathiyanarayanan v. The State Rep By Its,

Crl.O.P.No.21018 of 2022 G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offence punishable under Section 6(4) of the TN Scheduled Commodities (RDCS) Order 1982, Section 7(1)(a)(ii) of Essential Commodities Act in Crime No.51 of 2022, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. Heard both sides.

3. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was in illegal possession of 35 tons of PDS Rice without any valid permission or license. Hence, the complaint.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed on him. Hence, he prays for anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent would submit that this is the third anticipatory bail petition. Earlier, the petitioner filed anticipatory bail petitions before this Court in Crl.O.P.No.10929 of 2022 and Crl.O.P.No.16604 of 2022 and the same were dismissed on 06.06.2022 and 18.07.2022 respectively. Hence, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

6. Considering the huge quantity of essential commodities seized, there are two previous cases pending against the petitioner, similar in nature and this Court had dismissed the earlier anticipatory bail petitions filed by the petitioner and there is no change of circumstances. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

7. Accordingly, the Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 02.09.2022 Lpp

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

Lpp Crl.O.P.No.21018 of 2022 02.09.2022