Elumalai v. The Inspector Of Police
Bail granted – Possession of prohibited tobacco products
Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court (C.Kumarappan, J.), CRL OP No. 16141 of 2026, decided 25-06-2026: bail allowed under Section 483 BNSS 2023 to Elumalai, arrested 14.06.2026 in Crime No.237 of 2026 (Arni Taluk Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District) for offences under S.24(1) Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Acts, 2003 and Ss.123 & 275 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for possession of 21 packets of Hans (420 grams) of banned tobacco products kept for sale in a petty shop; one previous case noted but bail granted on ground of small quantity (420 grams) and long incarceration; bond Rs.25,000 with two sureties; conditions include daily reporting at 10.30 a.m. for two weeks; breach clause per P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala (2005) 13 SCC 283; absconding may invite fresh FIR under S.269 BNS 2023.
What did the court decide?
Petitioner enlarged on bail on executing a bond for Rs.25,000/- with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Arni, subject to conditions: sureties to affix photographs and left thumb impression per Judicial Form No.46 with identity proof; daily reporting before respondent police at 10.30 a.m. for two weeks and thereafter as and when required; no absconding during investigation or trial; no tampering with evidence or witnesses; on breach, the Magistrate/Trial Court may act as laid down in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283]; if the petitioner absconds thereafter, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.