Veerabadrappa v. The State By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 21.12.2021

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI Crl.O.P.No.24348 of 2021 VEERABADRAPPA ... Petitioner Vs.

The State by, The Inspector of Police, Denkanikootai Police Station, Krishnagiri.

... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C praying to grant bail to the petitioner in Crime No.493 of 2021 pending investigation on the file of the Inspector of Police, Denkanikootai Police Station, Krishnagiri.

For Petitioner : Mr.C.Ganesh Pandian For Respondent : Mr.N.S.Suganthan Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

(The case has been heard through video conference) The petitioner who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 09.11.2021 for the offences under Sections 8(c), 20(a)(i) of Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, in Crime No.493 of 2021, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 09.11.2021 at about 16.00 hours, based on a secret information, the respondent police along with his police party went to the house of the petitioner wherein, the petitioner had cultivated Ganja plants at the back side of his house and seized 10 plants of Ganja each weighting 1 Kgs. Hence the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he has been falsely implicated in this case and he has been suffering incarceration for more than 40 days from 09.11.2021.

However, on instructions, he would submit that the petitioner is ready and willing to pay a sum of Rs.20,000/- to any Charitable Institute as may be directed by this Court and he would pray for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) raised objection stating that the petitioner is the sole accused and he had cultivated Ganja plants in the back side of his house and the respondent police have seized 10 plants of Ganja, each weighting 1 Kg. but admits that the investigation is almost completed.

5.In order to curb the illegal activities and considering the submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioner shall be directed to make a non refundable deposit of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand Only), to the credit of the Registered Advocates Clerks Association, Krishnagiri, without prejudice to his rights and contentions. The amount so deposited shall be utilised by the Association for the welfare of the Advocates.

6.It is made clear that the deposit of the amount by the petitioner to the said Association would not amount to admission of guilt. The trial Court shall deal with the case independently on merits without reference to the amount deposited at the stage of bail.

7. Considering the fact that the property is recovered and considering the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner and the investigation is almost completed, 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 his executing 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 learned Judicial Magistrate, Denkanikottai, and on further condition that:

(a) the petitioner shall make non-refundable deposit a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand Only) through demand draft to the Registered Advocates Clerks Association, Krishnagiri, without prejudice to his defence before the trial Court and the learned Judicial Magistrate, after perusing the challan/ receipt, shall accept the sureties furnished by the petitioner; (b)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;

(c) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders; (d)the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; (e)the petitioner 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 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]; and; (g)if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A IPC.

-sd/- 21/12/2021 This order, on being produced, be punctually observed and carried into execution by all concerned TRUE COPY Sub-Assistant Registrar (Statistics/C.S.) High Court, Madras - 600 104.

TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, DENKANIKOTTAI.

2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE KRISHNAGIRI [FOR INFORMATION].

3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, DENKANIKOOTAI POLICE STATION, CHENNAI.

4 THE OFFICER INCHARGE, SUB JAIL, HOSUR.

5 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

6 THE REGISTERED ADVOCATE, CLERK ASSOCIATION, KRISHNAGIRI CC to M/S. C.GANESH PANDIAN Advocate on payment of necessary charges CRL OP.24348/2021 Date :21/12/2021 JPA 22/12/2021