Dismissed¶35

Santhanalakshmi, F/44,(A2) v. The State Rep. by the Inspector of Police

Madras HC19 Feb 2026CRL OP/4196/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Madras HC, CRL OP 4196/2026 (decided 19-02-2026, K. Rajasekar J): anticipatory bail under S.482 BNSS DISMISSED for accused in Crime No.188/2025, Sathiyamangalam PS, Villupuram — offences Ss.274,275,123 BNS r/w Ss.24(1),6 COTPA and S.77 JJ Act; 17.40 kg banned tobacco recovered from petitioner's house on co-accused's confession; refusal based on quantity of contraband and bad antecedents (3 previous cases).

What did the court decide?

The Court declined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, taking into account the submissions, the quantity of contraband involved in the case, the petitioner's bad antecedent (three previous similar cases pending, as reported by the Government Advocate) and other aspects of the case. ¶34

Santhanalakshmi, F/44,(A2) Vs The State Rep. by the… — Anticipatory Bail | Madras HC (2026)

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CRL OP No. 4196 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 19-02-2026

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CORAM

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THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR

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CRL OP No. 4196 of 2026

Santhanalakshmi

..Petitioner(s)

The State Rep. by the Inspector of Police, Sathiyamangalam Police Station, Villupuram District. (Crime No. 188 of 2025)

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..Respondent(s)

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Prayer: This Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of BNSS to Enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest at the hands of the Respondent Police in Crime No.188 of 2025, pending on the file of the Inspector of Police, Sathiyamangalam Police Station, Villupuram District.

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For Petitioner(s): Mr.A Bharani Chandar For Respondent(s): Ms.J.R.Archana, GA (Crl.Side)

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ORDER

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The petitioner, who apprehends arrest by the respondent police for the

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offence punishable under Section 274, 275, 123 of BNS read with Section 24(1), 6 of COTPA Act and Section 77 of JJ Act in connection 188 of 2025, seeks anticipatory bail.

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The allegation against the petitioner is that based on the secret

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information, the respondent police conducted inspection, at that time, the A1

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Page1 of 4

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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CRL OP No. 4196 of 2026

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was found in possession of Hans, Cool Lip, Vimal Pan Masala and V1 Tobacco

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and the same were recovered from A1. Based on the confession statement of

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A1, police team conducted search at petitioner’s house and recovered 17.40 kgs

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of banned tobacco products. Hence, the case has been registered.

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The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and she has been falsely implicated in this case by the respondent police. He further submitted that only based on the confession statement of A1, this petitioner has been implicated in this case, petitioner undertakes to cooperate with the investigation and abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

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The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and on instruction submitted that alleged contraband were seized from the accused and three previous case in similar nature is pending against the petitioner. Hence, she opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

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