Allowed

Samuvel v. the State Rep by

Madras HC10 Jan 2022CRL OP/25/2022

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

A criminal original petition was filed under Section 439 Cr.P.C. seeking bail for the petitioner in a spanning case involving possession of ganja. The High Court granted bail subject to conditions including a non-refundable deposit to a legal aid association, surrender by sureties, and reporting to police. The deposit was stated not to be an admission of guilt.

What did the court decide?

Petitioner released on bail subject to deposit of Rs. 10,000, execution of own bond, two sureties for Rs. 10,000 each, daily police reporting, and other conditions.

Samuvel Vs the State Rep by — Narcotics (NDPS) | Madras HC (2022)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 10.01.2022

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CORAM:

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THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI

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Crl.O.P.No.25 of 2022

Samuvel

...Petitioner

Vs.

State rep. by Inspector of Police, Krishnagiri Taluk Police Station, Dharmapuri District. (Crime No.527 of 2021) ... Respondent

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PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail pending investigation in Crime No.527 of 2021 on the file of the respondent police.

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For petitioner : Mr.N.Ponraj

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For Respondent : Mr.N.S.Suganthan Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

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ORDER

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(The case has been heard through video conference)

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The petitioner who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 23.11.2021 for the offences under Sections 8(c) r/w 20(b)(ii)(A) of NDPS Act, in Crime No.527 of 2021, on the file of the respondent police seeks bail.

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The case of the prosecution is that on 23.11.2021, on secret information the respondent police officials along with his subordinates went to the spot and checking the vehicles at that time at about 10.10 a.m., an upcoming vehicle from Krishnagiri, driven by the petitioner was found in possession of 1100 grams of Ganja in his two wheeler bearing Reg No. TN-24-AW-7241 Yamaha MT 15. Hence, the complaint.

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https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

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3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is no way connected with the alleged offence and he has been falsely implicated in this case and that the petitioner has been suffering incarceration for more than 45 days from 23.11.2021. He would further submit that the petitioner on his own violation ready to deposit a substantial amount to any charitable institute as may be directed by this Court and would pray for grant of bail to the petitioner.

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4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) would raise objection stating that when the respondent police officials checked the vehicles based on secret information an upcoming vehicle from Krishnagiri, driven by the petitioner was found in possession of 1,100grams of Ganja in his two wheeler but admits that there is no previous case against the petitioner.

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Considering the submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioner shall be directed to make a non refundable deposit of Rs.10,000/(Rupees Ten Thousand Only), to the credit of the Registered Advocate Clerks Association, Krishnagiri, without prejudice to his rights and contentions. The amount so deposited shall be utilised by the said Association for the welfare of the Advocates.

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It is made clear that the deposit of the amount by the petitioner to the said Association would not amount to admission of guilt. The trial Court shall deal with the case independently on merits without reference to the amount deposited at the stage of bail.

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Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the fact that there is no previous case against the petitioner and also considering the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

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(a) Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on executing his own bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only), before the Superintendent of the concerned prison, in which the petitioner has been confined and thereafter on his release;

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(b) the petitioner shall make non-refundable deposit for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only), through demand draft to the credit of the Registered Advocate Clerks Association, Krishnagiri, without prejudice to his defence before the trial Court and on such deposit, the petitioner shall execute two sureties for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only), before the Learned Judicial Magistrate No.2, Krishnagiri, within 15 days from the date of commencement of the Court’s normal functioning, failing which the bail granted by this Court shall stand dismissed automatically;

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https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

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(c) the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the learned Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar Card or Bank Pass Book to ensure their identity;

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(d) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders.

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(e) the petitioner shall not commit any offences of similar nature;

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(f) the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

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(g) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

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(h) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Judicial 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];

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(i) if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

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6.With the above directions, this Criminal Original Petition is ordered.

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-sd/-

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10/01/2022

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This order, on being produced, be punctually observed and carried into execution by all concerned

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TRUE COPY