Punama Ram v. The State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 29.10.2024

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE P.DHANABAL

1. Punama Ram

2. Dinesh Kumar

...Petitioners

Vs.

State rep by The Inspector of Police S.H.O. Kezhukuppam Police Station, Kallakurichi ( Crime No.336 of 2024)

...Respondent/Complainant

PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of B.N.S.S. Act, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioners on bail in Crime No.336 of 2024 on the file of respondent police. For Petitioners : Mr.C.R. Gokul Visvas For Respondent : Mr.S.Vinothkumar Government Advocate (Crl. Side) ***** 1/6

O R D E R

The petitioners, who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 02.10.2024 for the offences under Sections 275, 123 of BNS2023 r/w Section 24(1) of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act 2003 in Crime No.336 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused were in possession of 1137.5 kgs of banned tobacco products. Hence, the case.

3.Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent and they have been falsely implicated in this case. They have not committed any offence as alleged in the FIR. He would further submit that the petitioners were arrested and is in judicial custody from 02.10.2024 and is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed bail for the petitioners. 2/6

4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) opposes the grant of bail to the petitioners by stating that the petitioners along with other accused were in possession of 1137.5 kgs of banned tobacco products He further submitted that there are no previous cases pending against the petitioners.

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

6. Considering the representation made on both sides, nature of offence, quantity of material involved in this case, there is no previous case pending against the petitioners, taking into consideration the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioners and all other factors, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioners with certain conditions

7. Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) each with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate Court No. 2, Kallakurichi and on further conditions that:- 3/6

[a]the petitioners shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10.30 a.m until further orders.

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

[c] the Petitioners 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 Petitioners 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 Petitioners 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 Petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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.

29.10.2024 smn To 1.The Judicial Magistrate Court No. 2, Kallakurichi

2. The Inspector of Police S.H.O. Kezhukuppam Police Station, Kallakurichi 2.The Superintendent, Cuddalore Prison 4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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P.DHANABAL, J.

smn 29.10.2024 6/6