M.Pratheepan v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Devadanapatti

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 29.04.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P. DHANABAL CRL OP(MD). No. 21921 of 2025 M.Pratheepan

...Petitioner

Vs State of Tamil Nadu rep. by The Inspector of Police, Devadanapatti Police Station, Theni District.

(Crime No.430 of 2024)

...Respondent/Complainant

For Petitioner : Mr.N.Manimaran Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.B.Nambi Selvan Additional Public Prosecutor PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.483 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Bail in Cr.No. 430 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police. ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner / Accused, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 22.12.2024, for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c) r/w 20(b)(ii)(C), 29(1) and 25 of NDPS Act, in Crime No.430 of 2024 on the file of 1/5

the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on secret information on 21.12.2024 at about 08.00 a.m., on the secret information, the respondent police went to the spot and found that the accused persons are in possession of 21.217 kg. of ganja. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent and he was falsely implicated in this case and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. After completing the investigation, the case is pending for trial. Hence, he prayed bail for the petitioner.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent would submit that the offence are grave in nature. The quantity involved in this case is commercial quantity. All are travelled in a car. In respect of this petitioner 10 kgs. of ganja has been recovered in separate mahazar. The petitioner has one previous case similar in nature. After completing the investigation the case is pending for trial in C.C.No.376 of 2025 on the file of the II Additional District and Sessions Judge, Special Court for NDPS Act 2/5

Cases, Madurai. It is posted for examination of Investigating Officer. Hence, he opposed the grant of bail to the petitioner.

5. This Court heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the rival submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, considering the nature of charges levelled against the petitioner, quantity involved is commercial quantity, the petitioner has one previous case similar in nature, though the contraband was recovered through separate mahazar, it can be considered at the time of trial, since they travelled in a car, the case is posted for examination of Investigating Officer, at this stage it is not appropriate to consider the bail application. However, considering the long pendency of the case the trial Court is directed to dispose of the case as early as possible without granting any adjournment beyond a week and preferably within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The respondent is also instructed to co-operate for speedy disposal by producing the witnesses without any delay.

3/5

7.With the above said directions, this criminal original petition stands dismissed.

(P D B J) 29.04.2026 TM To 1.The II Additional District and Sessions Judge, Special Court for E.C.and NDPS Act Cases, Madurai.

2.The Inspector of Police, Devadanapatti Police Station, Theni District. (Crime No.430 of 2024) 3.The Superintendent, District Prison, Theni. 4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

4/5

P. DHANABAL, J.

TM

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No. 21921 of 2025 Date : 29.04.2026 5/5