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Judgment
G.Chandrasekharan, J
The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 21.06.2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 7(5), 20(2) of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 read with 328 of IPC in Crime No.303 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.
The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, petitioner is an accused in Crime No.303 of 2023 for the offences under Sections 7(5), 20(2) of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 read with 328 of IPC. He further submitted that, petitioner is innocent and he is falsely implicated in this case. Petitioner is in judicial custody from 21.06.2023. Thus, he prays for grant of bail.
In reply, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor opposes this petition, on the ground that, accused was found in illegal possession of 10 Kgs. and 476 Grams of tobacco products viz., 1. Vimal Pan Masala-10 Packets (2 kgs. 268 grams), 2. Coll Lip-15 Packets (1 Kg. 695 grams), 3.V-1 Tabaco-30 Packets, 4. Hans-15 Packets (5 Kgs 400 grams), 5. Cooli Lip Filter-17 Packets (1 kg 113 grams), in an auto bearing Regn. No.TN-23-AB-8941, at about 06.00 a.m., on 20.06.2023, at Gudiyatham Nethaji Chowk. On the basis of the confession of the co-accused, the petitioner is implicated in this case. The tobacco product and the vehicle were seized. There is no similar previous case pending against the petitioner. However, he prays for dismissal of this bail petition.
Considering the nature of the allegations made against the petitioner, and that the tobacco product and vehicle were seized and that there is no similar previous case against the petitioner and that, the petitioner is in judicial custody from 21.06.2023, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner and the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Gudiyatham and on further conditions that :-
[a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity.
[b] the petitioner without prejudice to his defence shall deposit a non-refundable sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only), by way of Demand Draft to the Cancer Institute (WIA), East Canal Bank Road, Adyar, Chennai and that the receipt of such payment shall be produced before the concerned Magistrate at the time of executing the bond; It is made clear that merely, because the petitioner deposits the said amount, it would not amount to admission of his guilt. Therefore, it is open to the trial Court to deal with the case independently.
[c] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30.a.m., until further orders.
[d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.
[e] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.
[f] 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].
[g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.