Ijas v. The State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 12.09.2024

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE P.DHANABAL Ijas

...Petitioner/Accused - 6

Vs.

State rep by The Inspector of Police, PEW Coimbatore City Police Station (Crime No.339 of 2024)

...Respondent/Complainant

PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of B.N.S.S. Act, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.339 of 2024 on the file of respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Anantha Padmanabhan For Respondent : Mr.S.Vinoth Kumar Government Advocate (Crl. Side) ***** 1/6

O R D E R

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 17.05.2024 for the offence under Section 8(c), 20(b)(ii)B, 22(c) and 25 of NDPS Act, 1985 and Section 29(1) of the NDPS Act, 1985, in Crime No.339 of 2024, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was found in illegal possession of four grams of drug powder. Hence the case.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person, he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution, and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the co-accused in this case was released on bail; that the petitioner has been in custody since 17.05.2024; that the petitioner is a law-abiding citizen; that he is ready to furnish substantial sureties for his due release on bail; and therefore, he prays for the grant of bail to the petitioner.

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4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that the petitioner was found in illegal possession of 4 grams of drug powder; that there are no previous cases pending against the petitioner; that the coaccused in this case was released on bail. However, he vehemently opposed the grant of bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the representation made by both sides, the quantity of the contraband involved in this case is not a commercial quantity, that there are no previous cases pending against the petitioner, that already the co-accused was released on bail and also taking into consideration the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions:

7. 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 3/6

learned Additional District Judge/Presiding Officer, Essential Commodities and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Court, Coimbatore, and on further conditions that: [a] the petitioner shall report before the Essential Commodities and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Court, Coimbatore, on every working day at 10.30 a.m. until further orders;

[b] the petitioner shall attend in accordance with the conditions of the bond;

[c] the petitioner shall not commit any offences of similar to the offence of which he is accused, or suspected, or of the commission of which he is suspected; [d] the petitioner shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence;

[e] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

[f] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Judicial 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 4/6

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 269 B.N.S.

12.09.2024 dk To 1.The EC and NDPS Court at Coimbatore.

2.The Central Prison, Coimbatore 3.The Inspector of Police, PEW Coimbatore City Police Station 4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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P.DHANABAL, J.

dk 12.09.2024 6/6