Azhagan @ Azhagesan, v. State By

SUNDER MOHAN, J.

The Petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 4(1)(c) and 4(1-A)(ii) of the Tamilnadu Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2024 in Crime No.740 of 2024, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail. 2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was found in possession of 200 litres of Ooral and 10 litres of I.D. Arrack. Hence, the case.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submit that the petitioner is a permanent resident, and custodial interrogation is not required for this petitioner. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) would submit that on 24.10.2024 at about 8.30 a.m, based on a secret information, the respondent police searched the premises of the petitioner and seized the contraband. He 1/4

further submits that the petitioner has no previous case, pending against him. However, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) for the respondent and perused the materials available on record.

6.Considering the nature of allegation; that the petitioner has no previous case and that the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required for the investigation, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions: (a) Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, before the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Mettur, on condition that the petitioner shall execute 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 respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the said Magistrate, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that:

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[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m until further orders.

[c] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

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

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 BNS.

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SUNDER MOHAN, J.

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