Koni @ Srinivasan v. State By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 09.08.2023

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G.CHANDRASEKHARAN Koni @ Srinivasan

...Petitioner

Vs.

The State Rep by The Inspector of Police, F2, Egmore Police Station, Chennai District.

(Crime No.254 of 2023)

...Respondent

PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in connection with the case in Crime No.254 of 2023 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Saravanan For Respondent : Mr.S.Rajakumar Additional Public Prosecutor 1/6

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 09.06.2023 for the offence punishable under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(B) of NDPS Act in Crime No.254 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, petitioner is falsely implicated as an accused in Crime No.254 of 2023 registered for the offences under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(B) of NDPS Act. Petitioner is innocent. Petitioner is in judicial custody from 09.06.2023. Therefore, he prays for grant of bail to the petitioner.

3. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor, opposed this petition, on the ground, on 09.06.2023, at about 09.00 a.m., respondent police found the accused near Pudupet Ayyasamy Plumbing Station under suspicious circumstances. After following necessary procedure, accused was searched and respondent police found 1.200 kgs of ganja in a carry bag carried by him. Ganja has been recovered. He further submitted that, there is no similar case pending against the petitioner. Thus, he prays for 2/6

dismissal of this petition.

4. Considering the fact that, petitioner is in judicial custody from 09.06.2023 and that, this is the 1st case registered against the petitioner under NDPS Act and that, ganja has been recovered and that material part of the investigation might have been over by this time, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with conditions and the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on their 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 XIV Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai and on further conditions that :- [a] 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 petitioner without prejudice to his defence shall deposit a non-refundable sum of Rs.5,000/-, by way of Demand Draft to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund, Finance (CMPRF) Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai 600 3/6

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 morning at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

[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]. 4/6

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

09.08.2023 gd To 1.The XIV Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai. 2.The Inspector of Police, F2, Egmore Police Station, Chennai District.

3.Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras 5/6

G.CHANDRASEKHARAN.

J.

gd 09.08.2023 6/6