D.Govindharaj v. The State Of T.N. (Reps. By The Inspector Of Police),

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 03.10.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE N.SENTHILKUMAR

1. D. Govindharaj 2.G.Alamelu ... Petitioners Vs.

The State of T.N Rep. By The Inspector of Police, Keezhkuppam Police Station, Kallakurichi District (Crime No.161 /2025) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest in Crime No.161 of 2025 on the file of the respondent Police.

For Petitioner : Mr.Babu Varadharajan For Respondent : Mr.S.Santhosh Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 4(1)(A), 4(1)(c) of TNP Amendment Act, r/w 14A of TNP Act in Crime No.161 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail. 1/6

2. The case of the prosecution is that, the petitioners were found in illegal possession of Pride Classic -10 brandy bottles, Seamens Pride Classic -20 brandy bottles ( 180 ml) without any valid licence. Hence the complaint. 3.Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent person and they have been falsely implicated in this case; that the petitioners have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution; and that the petitioners are ready to produce solvent sureties and to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court and also undertake to appear and to co-operate for the investigation.

He further submitted that the petitioners, without prejudice to their rights, are ready to deposit some amount if directed by this Court to any welfare scheme of the Government or any other organization and prayed for anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 4.Learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and he opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner and on instructions submitted that the first petitioner has three previous case pending against him and the second petitioner has four previous cases pending against her.

5.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned 2/6

Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police and perused the materials available on record.

6.Taking note of the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegations, submissions made by the learned counsels on either side, and since, custodial interrogation is not required for the purpose of investigation, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners with certain conditions.

7.Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Kallakurichi 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 learned Magistrate/Judge concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that: [a]the petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank 3/6

pass Book to ensure their identity.

[b] the petitioners are hereby directed to deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees five thousand only) each, as non-refundable deposit either through RTGS/NEFT/cash/demand draft in favour of the Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai, bearing A/c. No.10273425961, State Bank of India, Park Town (Chennai), 68, Evening Bazaar Road, Chennai, IFSC:SBIN0001856, without prejudice to their defence before the trial Court and the learned Judicial Magistrate, after perusing the challan/receipt, shall accept the sureties furnished by the petitioners;

[c] the first petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders; the second petitioner shall report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation.

[d]the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. [e]the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[f]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 4/6

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 B.N.S.

03.10.2025 smn/kas 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 official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code.

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N.SENTHILKUMAR, J.

smn/kas To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.I Kallakurichi .

2. The Inspector of Police, Keezhkuppam Police Station, Kallakurichi District 3.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras 03.10.2025 6/6