Soundarajan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Date : 23/09/2025 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY CRL OP(MD). No.14835 of 2025 Soundararajan ... Petitioner/A-1 Vs The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep By The Inspector of Police, Ammapettai Police Station, Thanjavur District.

(Crime No.384 of 2025) ... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : Mr.B.Jameelarasu For Respondent : MrS.S.Manoj Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Cr.No.384 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 123 of BNS read with 24(1) of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Acts 2003, seeks anticipatory bail.

1/6

2. The case of the prosecution is that on secret information, the respondent police has conducted search in the petitioner's grocery shop and found tobacco products total quantity of 8.710 kilograms. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he is no way connected with the alleged occurrence as stated by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. side) opposes to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Taking into consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, with certain conditions.

2/6

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 District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Papanasam, Thanjavur District, 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 District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Papanasam, Thanjavur District, 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 Bank pass Book to ensure their identity;

(b) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation; (c) the petitioner alone shall make a non refundable deposit of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) to the credit of the Headmaster, Panchayat Union Middle School, LKB Nagar, Sakkimangalam, Madurai in South Indian Bank, Sakkimangalam Branch, Account No.0733053000000794 3/6

IFSC No.SIBL0000733, without prejudice to his contentions and rights before the trial Court, for purchasing 30 sets of Bench Desk for the Tribal students under "Namakku Naame" Scheme and on such deposit being made, the learned Judicial Magistrate shall accept the sureties furnished by the petitioner;

(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;

(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. 23.09.2025 KSA 4/6

To

1. The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Papanasam, Thanjavur District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Ammapettai Police Station, Thanjavur District.

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

5/6

S.SRIMATHY, J.

KSA

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.14835 of 2025 Date : 23.09.2025 6/6