Karuppasamy v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 26/03/2025 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. SAKTHIVEL CRL OP(MD). No.5649 of 2025 Karuppasamy ... Petitioner/Accused Vs The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep by the Inspector of Police, Civil Supplies CID, Tirunelveli District.

Crime No. 32/2025.

... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner :

Mr. C. Venkatesh Advocate For Respondent :

Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- ORDER : The Court made the following order :- This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner on 24.03.2025 under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, praying to grant an order of pre-arrest bail.

2. The petitioner / accused, apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent-

police for the offences punishable under Sections 6(4) of Tamil Nadu Scheduled Commodities (RDCS) Order, 1982 and Section 7(1)(a)(ii) of Essential Commodities Act, in Crime No.32 of 2025 on the file of the respondent-police.

3. The case for the prosecution is that on 11.03.2025, when the respondent - Police were in routine vehicle check up, the petitioner herein and the other accused had illegally transported 700 kgs of rice meant for Public Distribution System in the vehicle bearing Regn.No.TN 07 R 4777. On seeing the respondent - Police, petitioner ran away from the place by abandoning the vehicle. Hence, the case.

4. Mr.C. Venkatesh, the learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner is an innocent person and that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and that he has been falsely implicated in this case. He, however, submits that the petitioner is ready to abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. He therefore prays for grant of pre-arrest bail to the petitioner.

5. Per contra, Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent-police, submits that there are three previous cases pending against the petitioner, out of which, two cases are disposed off. He further submits that the investigation of the case is pending, and therefore, at this stage, if the petitioner is granted pre-arrest bail, he may commit similar offence, cause threat to the defacto complainant and tamper with the evidence. Hence, he prays to dismiss this Criminal Original Petition.

6. Heard on both sides. This Court has perused the records.

7. In view of the nature of allegation made against the petitioner, this Court is of the view that since vehicle along with illegally transported 700 kgs of rice has already been seized and also considering the fact that the petitioner has no bad antecedents, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not necessary in this case and also has permanent residence and deep roots in the society. Hence, there is less possibility for absconding. Considering the same, and with a view to give one more opportunity to the petitioner to reform himself, this Court is inclined to grant an order of pre-arrest bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions. (i) The petitioner shall be released on pre-arrest bail in the event of his arrest or in the event of his surrender before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.

II, Thirunelveli, within a period of 15 days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, on executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) along with two sureties each for a like sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the satisfaction of the said Magistrate. (ii) The petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the credit of Crime No.32 of 2025 before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Thirunelveli, without prejudice his rights and contentions before the trial Court. On such deposit, the said Magistrate is directed to deposit the said amount in any one of the Nationalized Banks in a fixed deposit scheme for a period of one year and thereafter, renew the same till the conclusion of trial.

Magistrate / Trial Court shall pass orders qua entitlement of the amount in its final Judgment / order.

(iii) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the Application for Suretyship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Judicial Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identity proofs to ensure their identity.

(iv) The petitioner shall appear and sign before the respondent - Police weekly twice i.e., on every Monday and Friday at 10.00 am until further orders. (v) The petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation by a police officer as and when required.

(vi) The petitioner shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer. (vii) The petitioner shall not leave India without the previous permission of the Court.

(viii) The petitioner shall furnish his residential address and mobile number to the concerned Magistrate.

(ix) The petitioner shall not, directly, or indirectly, cause threat to the defacto complainant and tamper with the evidence.

(x) On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Judicial Magistrate or Trial Court, as the case may be, is entitled to pass appropriate orders

against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions are imposed by him as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) 13 SCC 283].

8. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed subject to the conditions stated supra.

Sd/- 26.03.2025 // True Copy // /04/2025 Sub Assistant Registrar (CS - I/II/III/IV) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

TRP TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE NO.II, TIRUNELVELI. 2 DO-THROUGH : THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT.

3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, CIVIL SUPPLIES CID, TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT.

4 THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, MADURAI.

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.5649 of 2025 Date :26/03/2025 RS (17/04/2025) 5P/ 5C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17.07.2023.