Karnan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 27/03/2025 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. SAKTHIVEL Karnan ... Petitioner/ Sole Accused Vs The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Inspector of Police, Allinagaram Police Station, Theni.

(Crime No. 47 of 2025) ... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : Dr.R.Alagumani Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.483 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Bail in Crime No.47 of 2025 on the file of the respondent-police. 1/6

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner on 25.03.2025 under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, praying to grant bail.

2. The petitioner/sole accused was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 13.03.2025 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 4(1)(A) of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2024, in Crime No.47 of 2025 on the file of the respondent-police.

3. The case of the prosecution is that, based on secret information, on 13.03.2025 at about 9.50 a.m., when the respondent-police were on routine duty near Venkala Kovil, Venkalapuram, they found that the petitioner herein was illegally in possession of 11 bottles of liquor (each containing 180 ml). Hence, the case.

4. Dr.R.Alagumani, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner is an innocent person, that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution, and that he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that the petitioner has been in judicial custody since 13.03.2025 and is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. He therefore prays to grant bail to the petitioner.

2/6

5. Per contra, Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi, learned Government Advocate (Crl. side) appearing for the respondent-police, submits that there 45 previous cases pending against the petitioner. He further submits that the investigation of the case is still pending, and therefore, at this stage, if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, he may abscond and delay the investigation. Accordingly, he prays to dismiss this Criminal Original Petition.

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

7. The petitioner was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 13.03.2025, and he has been in judicial custody for more than 15 days. Considering the nature of the offence allegedly committed by the petitioner, the fact that the petitioner has a permanent residence and therefore, there is less possibility of absconding, and the period of incarceration, and with a view to give one more opportunity to the petitioner to reform himself, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, however, subject to certain conditions. Accordingly, bail is granted to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:

(i) The petitioner shall execute a bond for 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 learned Judicial Magistrate, Theni; 3/6

(ii) 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, Theni shall obtain a copy of any one of identity proofs to ensure their identity;

(iii) The petitioner shall furnish his residential address and mobile number to the learned Judicial Magistrate, Theni;

(iv) The petitioner report before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Theni weekly twice ie., on every Monday and Friday at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; (v) The petitioner shall attend in accordance with the conditions of the bond to be executed under Chapter XXXV of BNS, 2023;

(vi) The petitioner shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which he is accused, or suspected, of the commission of which he is suspected; (vii) 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 or tamper with the evidence; and (viii) On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Judicial Magistrate, Theni is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions are imposed by him as laid 4/6

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/- 27/03/2025 / TRUE COPY / /03/2025 Sub-Assistant Registrar ( C.S. I / II / III / IV ) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

trp TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE THENI 2 DO-THROUGH :

THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, THENI DISTRICT.

3 THE OFFICER INCHARGE DISTRICT JAIL, THENI.

4 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE ALLINAGARAM POLICE STATION, THENI.

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

+1 CC to M/s.DR.R.ALAGUMANI, Advocate ( SR-3573[I] dated 27/03/2025 ) 5/6

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.5724 of 2025 Date :27/03/2025 HPS/SAR / 27.03.2025/6P/7C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023.

6/6