Manikandan v. The State Of Tamilnadu Rep. By

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 08.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Manikandan Petitioner(s) Vs The State of Tamilnadu Rep. by The Inspector of Police Samayapuram Police Station Trichy District (Crime No. 518 of 2025) Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s): Dr.R. Alagumani For Respondent(s): Mr.S.S.Manoj, Government Advocate (crl. Side) Prayer: For Bail in Crime No. 518 of 2025 on the file of the Respondent Police.

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 02.12.2025 for the offences punishable under Sections 123 of BNS Act, 2023 and Sections 6(a), 24(1) of COTPA Act and Section 77 of Juvenile Justice Act, in Crime No. 518 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 1/4

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was found in illegal possession of 25 kgs of prohibited tobacco products. Hence, this case.

3. Taking into consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case and also considering the period of incarceration suffered by the petitioner, this Court has already granted interim bail to the petitioner vide order, dated 18.12.2025.

4. The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has already executed bond and sureties and submitted the same before the Trial Court, based on the earlier order, dated 18.12.2025. Further, the petitioner appeared before this Court and filed an undertaking affidavit stating that he will not sell tobacco products in future.

5. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner has already granted interim bail.

6. Therefore, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. Hence, the earlier order, dated 18.12.2025, is made absolute. The sureties 2/4

already submitted before the Trial Court shall hold good on further conditions that, a) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders;

b) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness;

c) the petitioner shall not abscond during trial; d) 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].

e) If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS.

08.01.2026 KSA 3/4

To

1. The Judicial Magistrate Court-III, Trichy.

2. Do-Through - The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Trichy District.

3. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Trichy.

4. The Inspector of Police, Samayapuram Police Station, Trichy District.

5. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 4/4