Selvam v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 26.09.2022

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Selvam ... Petitioner Vs.

The State represented by, The Inspector of Police, Thiruverkadu Police Station, Chennai District.

(Crime No.516 of 2022) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C., pleased to enlarge the petitioner on bail concerned in Crime No.516 of 2022, pending investigation on the file of the respondent Police. For Petitioner : Mr.C.Prabakaran For Respondent : Mr.C.E.Pratap Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

O R D E R

The petitioner, who was arrested on 16.09.2022 and remanded to judicial custody on 17.09.2022, for the offences punishable under Section 1/7

328 of IPC and Section 24(1) of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, in Crime No.516 of 2022 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 16.09.2022, when the respondent Police and his team were on routine rounds, the petitioner was found in possession of banned tobacco products, worth about Rs.1,46,000/-. Hence the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He would also submit that without prejudice to his contentions, the petitioner is prepared to deposit a sum of Rs.70,000/- to any welfare scheme of the Government and hence, he prays for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4. The Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police would submit that on 16.09.2022, when the respondent Police and his team were on routine rounds, the petitioner was found in illegal possession of banned tobacco products, worth about Rs.1,46,000/-. He 2/7

would further submit that there are no previous cases as against the petitioner. However, he vehemently opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) and perused the materials available on record.

6. In order to curb the illegal activities of smuggling of tobacco products, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.70,000/- (Rupees Seventy Thousand only) as a non refundable deposit to "The Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Kilpauk, Chennai, "Hospital Maintenance Fund", without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court. Merely, because the petitioner have deposited 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.

7. Taking into consideration the facts of the case and the submissions made by the learned counsel and also taking note of the fact that the petitioner is prepared to deposit Rs.70,000/- to any welfare scheme of the 3/7

Government, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

8. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on condition to make a non refundable deposit of Rs.70,000/- (Rupees Seventy Thousand only) by way of Demand Draft/RTGS/NEFT to the "The Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Kilpauk, Chennai, "Hospital Maintenance Fund", Canara Bank, Kilpauk Branch, A/c.No.1650101005396, IFSC Code : CNRB0001650, MICR Code : 600015050", without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court, on such deposit and production of proof, 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) each with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned District Judicial Magistrate Court No.II, Poonamallee, 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;

4/7

[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 evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [e] 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]; [f] If the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

26.09.2022 rgi 5/7

To

1. The District Judicial Magistrate Court No.II, Poonamallee.

2. The Inspector of Police, Thiruverkadu Police Station, Chennai District.

3. The Central Prison, Puzhal.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

6/7

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA., J.

rgi 26.09.2022 7/7