T.Sarala v. State Represented By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 22.09.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Crl.O.P.No.26036 of 2025 T.Sarala ... Petitioner Vs.

State rep. by The Inspector of Police, Shoolagiri Police Station, Krishnagiri District.

... Respondent (Cr.No.331 of 2025) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event of her arrest by the respondent police in Crime No.331 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner : Mr.J.Pradeep For Respondent : Mr.S.Udaya Kumar Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 281, 275 and 123 of BNS, r/w Sections 6(b), 20(1) of Cigarette and 1/6

other Tobacco Products Acts, 2003 and Section 4(1)(A) of TNP (Amendment) Act, 2024 in Cr.No.331 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other had illegally transported 2.016 kgs of banned tobacco products worth about Rs.4,160/- and 2430litres of Karnataka State Liquor, worth about Rs.1,344/- by using a car, worth about Rs.5,00,000/-, the same were seized by the respondent police. Hence, the present case.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has not committed any such offence as alleged by the prosecution and she has been wrongly implicated in this case. Hence, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police, reiterated the prosecution case and reported that the there is no previous case as against this petitioner/A2, the mother/A1 is the owner of the car and she was arrested and enlarged on bail. Hence, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record. 2/6

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made by both counsel, and taking note of the fact that the the quantity of banned contraband seized and there is no previous case as against the petitioner and that the mother/A1 of the petitioner/A2 was arrested and enlarged on bail, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy made, before the learned Judicial Magistrate-I, Hosur on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction learned Magistrate concerned, and on further condition that:

(a) If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

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(b) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the application for surety ship (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify proofs to ensure their identity; (c) The petitioner shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of three weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation;

(d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; (e)If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

22.09.2025 Vv 4/6

To

1. The Judicial Magistrate-I, Hosur

2. The Inspector of Police, Shoolagiri Police Station, Krishnagiri District.

3.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras, Chennai 600 104.

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K.RAJASEKAR , J.

Vv Crl.O.P.No.26036 of 2025 22.09.2025 6/6