Sridhar Babu v. The State Rep. By, Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 11-09-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI Sridhar Babu S/o. Baskaran, No.26, Thirumal Nagar, 2nd main road, Soorapattu, Kolathur, Chennai-99.

Petitioner(s) Vs The State rep. By, Inspector of Police S-9, Palavanthangal Police Station, Chennai.

(Crime No.13 of 2025) Respondent(s) PRAYER To enlarge the Petitioner on bail in CC No. 198 of 2025 pending on the file of II Additional Special Court for NDPS Act case at Chennai 1/7

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.S.Kasirajan For Respondent(s):

Mr.A.Gopinath, Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 17.01.2024 for the alleged offences under Sec. 8(c) r/w 20(b)(ii)(C), 25, 29(i) of NDPS Act, in Crime No.13 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 17.01.2024, on a secret information with regard to sale of prohibited contraband near B.V.Nagar, the respondent police intercepted the petitioner's vehicle and on search, the respondent police found that they were found in possession of 20.450 kgs. of ganja and seized the same. Accordingly, the complaint was registered against the petitioner.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that he is ranked as A1 and he was falsely implicated in this case as if he was found in possession of prohibited contraband. He would submit that when he was travelled in a car, found in joint possession of contraband along with A2. He would submit that is in custody for more than 1 year 8 months from 17.01.2024, but there is no 2/7

progress in the trial. He would submit that he is an innocent person and he has not at all committed any offence as alleged by the respondent police and he is no way connected with the said occurrence. He would submit that there is no role of the petitioner in the alleged offence. Hence, he prayed to grant bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for respondent would submit that totally two accused involved in this case and the total contraband seized in the process is 20.450 kgs. of ganja, which were found in joint possession of petitioner along with other accused in a car and it is a commercial quantity. He would submit that now the investigation is almost completed and he is in custody for more than 1 year 8 months. He would submit that at this stage, if he is released on bail, he would hamper the investigation and tamper the witnesses. Hence, he strongly opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

6. On seeing the facts, it reveals that the petitioner along with A2 were in joint possession of 20.450 kgs. of ganja, which is a commercial quantity, however considering the fact that investigation completed and final report was filed and the same was taken on file in C.C.No.198 of 2025 and also considering the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner from 17.01.2024 for more than 1 year 8 months and and he is ready to abide any 3/7

condition imposed by this court, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions :-

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) as non-refundable deposit to the credit of Sevalaya, No.F-2, Pushkarani Apartment, 12 Ananda Road, Alwarpet, Chennai -600 018, Account Name : SEVALAYA, A/C. No.218601000134, Bank : ICICI Bank, Branch : Mylapore, Chennai-600 004, IFSC Code : ICIC0002186 (Cell No.9941450444) and on such deposit, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on condition to execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties each, in which one surety must be a blood surety for a like sum to the satisfaction of the II Addl. Special Court for NDPS Cases, Chennai and on further conditions that: (a) the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the learned Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar Card or Bank Pass Book to ensure their identity; (b) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police on alternative days at 10.30 a.m. for the period of two months;

(c) the petitioner shall not commit any offences of similar nature;

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(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 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 Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560]; (g) if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS 11-09-2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes rpp To

1. II Addl. Special Court for NDPS Act Cases, Chennai. 2.The Inspector of Police, S-9 Palavanthangal Police Station, Chennai. 5/7

3. The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Puzhal. 4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras Note :-

1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the Official Website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR Code.

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T.V.THAMILSELVI J.

rpp CRL OP No. 22463 of 11-09-2025 7/7