Palpandi v. The State Rep By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 11-09-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI PALPANDI S/o.Arumugam, No.320, Gandigraman, Megamalai, Thummagundu, Kadamalaikundu, Theni District Petitioner(s) Vs The State rep by the Inspector of Police NIB CID Coimbatore Police Station, Coimbatore Cr.No.16 of 2022 Respondent(s) PRAYER To enlarge the petitioner M.Palpandi on bail in CC.No.45 of 2022 pending on the file of the learned Special Judge, Special Court under EC and NDPS Act Cases, Coimbatore strictly on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, including the critical need for parental care for his ailing minor child For Petitioner(s):

M/s.M.Mohamed Nazar For Respondent(s):

Mr.A.Gopinath, Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side) 1/5

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 05.02.2022 for the alleged offence under Sections 21(c), 23(c), 28 and 29 of NDPS Act, pending trial in C.C.No. 45 of 2022 on the file of Special Judge, Special Court under EC and NDPS Act, Coimbatore in Crime No. 1002 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 16.12.2021, based on a secret information about the illegal transportation of ganja, the respondent police along with his team went to Andiapatti area, wherein they intercepted the petitioner, however, on seeing them, he tried to escape from there and they caught hold of him. On search, the petitioner along with other accused found in possession of 517 kgs. of ganja and seized the same. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that this is the third petition seeking for bail and there is no recovery from this petitioner and he is an innocent person and he is no way connected with the case. He would submit that he has not at all committed any offence as alleged by the respondent police and he was not present at the scene of occurrence. He would submit that the investigation is almost completed and he would abide by any condition that may 2/5

be imposed by this court and he is in judicial custody from 05.02.2022 for more than 3 years and 6 months. Hence, he prayed to grant bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for respondent would submit that the respondent police recovered the contraband of 517 kgs. of ganja from the scene of occurrence, which is a commercial quantity. He would submit that most of the witnesses were examined and now the case is posted for examination of L.W.14 to 18. He would submit that if he is released on bail, he would tamper the witnesses and hamper the investigation. Hence, he vehemently opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. On seeing the facts, in the scene of occurrence, the respondent police found the petitioner in possession of 517 kgs of ganja illegally without any valid license and the same was recovered, which is a commercial quantity thereby the petitioner has actively participated in the offence. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made by both counsel, considering the gravity of offence committed by the petitioner by transporting ganja, also the fact that most of the witnesses were examined and now the case is posted for examination of L.W. 14 to 18 and at this stage if he is released on bail, he may abscond and there is possibility of tampering the witnesses and hampering the investigation and also the fact that there is no change of circumstances, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. 3/5

Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. However, since the case is pending from the year of 2022, the trial judge is directed to complete the trial and dispose the case within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

11-09-2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes rpp To

1. Special Judge, Special Court under EC and NDPS Act, Coimbatore.

2. The Inspector of Police, NIB-CID, Coimbatore Police Station, Coimbatore.

3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. 4/5

T.V.THAMILSELVI J.

rpp CRL OP No. 24249 of 11-09-2025 5/5