Lalbabu Chaudhari v. State Represented By Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 03-07-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Lalbabu Chaudhari S/o. Awadhesh, Aruna Textile Processing Mills, Krishnamoorthi Line House, Kumilamparappu, Erode Taluk, Erode-638 102.

..Petitioner(s) Vs State Represented by Inspector of Police Chithode Police Station, Erode.

Cr.No.204/2026 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in connection with the Crime NO.204 of 2026 on the file of the Respondent Police and pass such order or further order as this Honorable Court. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.D.Padmanabhan For Respondent(s):

Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar, Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 17.05.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 8 (c), 20(b)(ii)(B), 25 of NDPS Act in Crime No.204 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused was found in possession of 2.040 kgs of ganja.. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that there is total recovery of 2.040 kgs of ganja, the recovery from this petitioner is only 20 grams of ganja, which comes under intermediate quantity and the petitioner has been incarcerated since 17.05.2026. He further submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case and that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioner.

4. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the Respondent Police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the petitioner is a native of Bihar. He also fairly conceded that the petitioner has no previous case pending against him. However, he opposed the grant of bail to the Petitioner.

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

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case; taking note of the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), it is seen that the quantity involved is of an intermediate quantity and considering the fact of the period of incarceration of the petitioner since 17.05.2026 and upon the further fact that there is no criminal antecedents against the petitioner, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail, subject to certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the 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 (among two sureties, one should be a blood surety and one should be a local surety), for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Additional District Judge of Special Court for Essential Commodities Act Cases, Coimbatore, and on further conditions that: [a] 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 the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; [c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

[d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

[e] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned 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)13 SCC 283];

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

03-07-2026 DRL Note:

1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code.

To 1.The Additional District Judge of Special Court for Essential Commodities Act Cases, Coimbatore.

2. The Inspector of Police Chithode Police Station, Erode.

3.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Coimbatore.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

DRL 03-07-2026