K.V.Raman v. The State, Rep. By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 13.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI Crl.O.P.No.30992 of 2025 K.V.Raman ... Petitioner -vsThe State rep by, The Station House Officer, Vigilance and Anti Corruption Unit, Puducherry.

(Crime No.3 of 2023) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 483 of BNSS Act, 2023, pleased to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.3 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner :

Mr.Chandru for Mr.E.Anbarasan For Respondent :

Mr.M.V.Ramachandramoorthy, Additional Public Prosecutor (P) ************

ORDER

1/6

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 28.10.2025 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 409, 420 r/w Section 34 IPC and 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in Crime No.3 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of prosecution is that on 08.09.2023 at 14.30 hours, the Officer on Special Duty, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Puducherry lodged a complaint against one S.Natarajan the Pharmacist, National Rural Health Mission, Puducherry and other officials of NRHM, Puducherry in which it is stated that during the year 2018-2019 M/s.Shri Padma Jothi Enterprises and M/s.Sriram Agency had supplied various medicines which were administered to the pregnant women by Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and Educational Institutions were found containing sediments and unsuitable for distribution and the medicines are substandard quality. During the procurement of the medicines the said S.Natarajan, Pharmacist and other officials of National Rural Health Missions, Puducherry has been involved in many minconducts of serious nature such as supply of substandard medicines supplied and procurement of medicines from the agencies run by his wife and friends and caused huge revenue loss to the Government. It is further stated in the complaint that the 2/6

said Natarajan and other officials of NRHM have misused their official capacity to commit the offence. Hence this case.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the petitioner was arrested and he is in judicial custody from 28.10.2025 and ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for respondent would submit that the petitioner is one of the accused, now the petitioner is aged about 68 years, he was retired from service on 02.09.2019 near about 6 years after his retirement he was implicated in this case. Hence, he strongly opposes grant of bail to the petitioner.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances, further considering the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

6. Accordingly the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on executing separate bonds for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties (one blood surety), for a like sum to the 3/6

satisfaction of the learned Principal District Judge, Pondicherry, and on further conditions that:

(a) 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 pass Book to ensure their identity;

(b) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police on every Tuesday and Friday at 10.30 a.m. for the period of eight weeks;

(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 4/6

Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; and;

(h) if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

13.11.2025 rna 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.

To 1.The learned Principal District Judge, Pondicherry. 2.The Station House Officer, Vigilance and Anti Corruption Unit, Puducherry.

3.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Kalapet, Pondicherry.

4.The Public Prosecutor, Puducherry.

T.V.THAMILSELVI, J.

5/6

rna Crl.O.P.No.30992 of 2025 13.11.2025 6/6