Meganathan v. State Rep By The Station House Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 25.11.2025 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR Meganathan ... Petitioner -VsState Rep by, The Station House Officer, Manalurpet Police Station, Kallakurichi District.

(Crime No.321 of 2025) ... Respondent Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS Act, 2023, pleased to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.321 of 2025 pending on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner :

Mr.A.Sathishkumar For Respondent :

Mr.A.Gopinath, Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 05.11.2025, for the alleged offence punishable under Section 123 of BNS, 2023 r/w 24(1) of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 in Crime No.321 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 1/4

2. The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner joined hands with other accused involved in illegal possession and transportation of Hans @ Gutka 11 gunny bags 550 packet, Vimal-2 gunny bags 100 packets, VI Tobacco-2 gunny bags 100 packet, Cool Lip-57 packet, total weighing 179.795 kgs of banned tobacco products from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu while the police party conducting regular patrol, caught red handed the petitioners and recovered the banned tobacco products from them. Hence, the case. by carrying a knife, came to the main road and threatened the general public, and when the police personnel intervened to rescue the situation, he abused them. Hence, the complaint.

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 further submitted that the petitioner is in judicial custody from 05.11.2025. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that there are totally three accused in this case, the petitioner is ranked as A1. He further submitted that already co-accused/A2 & A3, who are husband and wife was dismissed by this Court. Hence, he opposed for the grant of bail to the petitioner.

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5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record including the First Information Report.

6. Considering the nature of the allegations, the petitioner is the main accused involved in illegal possession, transportation, selling and distribution of contraband to various persons and that the co-accused was dismissed by this Court in Crl.OP.No.31324 & 31328 of 2025 dated 17.11.2025, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

7. Accordingly, the Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 25.11.2025 drl To 1.The Station House Officer, Manalurpet Police Station, Kallakurichi District.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

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K. RAJASEKAR, J.

drl 25.11.2025 4/4