Ravikumar @ Ponpandi v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 20.01.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Ravikumar @ Ponpandi ... Petitioner/Accused Vs State of Tamilnadu Rep by the Inspector of Police, SIPCOT Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

(Crime No.34 of 2026) ... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : Mr.S.Vishnuvardhan Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate (Crl.side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.34 of 2026 on the file of the respondent Police.

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ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner/Accused, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 4(1)(C) of Tamilnadu Prohibition (Amendment) Act 2024 and Section 24 of Tamilnadu Prohibition Act, in Crime No.34 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused persons were found in illegal possession of 146 liquor bottles. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that based on the confession of co-accused, the petitioner was falsely implicated in this case. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that there are three previous cases pending against the petitioner and the 2/6

property has been recovered. However, he vehemently opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5.Taking into consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case and also the fact that the property has been recovered, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, with other conditions.

6. 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 on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate-III, Thoothukudi, 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 Judicial Magistrate-III, Thoothukudi, 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 3/6

Bank pass Book to ensure their identity;

(b ) The petitioner shall make a non refundable deposit of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) to the credit of the Head Master, Government Higher Secondary School, Samayanallur, Madurai District, in SBI Account No.35399383409, IFSC No.SBIN0016503, State Bank of India, Samayanallur Branch. This fund shall be utilized for the purpose of purchasing furniture (Benches & Desks) for newly constructed class rooms under ''Namakku Naame'' Scheme, without prejudice to his contentions and rights before the trial Court, and on such deposit being made, the learned Judicial Magistrate shall accept the sureties furnished by the petitioner; (c) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders. (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;

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(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 Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji Vs. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560] and;

(g) if the accused/petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS, 2023. (S S Y J) 20.01.2026 msrm To

1. The learned Judicial Magistrate-III, Thoothukudi.

2.The Inspector of Police, SIPCOT Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

3. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

4. The Headmaster Government Higher Secondary School, Samayanallur, Madurai District.

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S.SRIMATHY,J msrm

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.898 of 2026 Date : 20.01.2026 6/6