S.Nisanthi vs State

Sathi Kumar Sukumara Kurup, J

The Petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 14.05.2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 4(1)(a), 4(1)(i), 4(1-A) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, in Crime No.122 of 2023 on the file of the Respondent Police, seeks bail.

The case of the Prosecution is that on 14.05.2023, when the Sub Inspector of Police attached to the respondent police station along with his police party was on regular check up, the petitioner was caught red handed with possession of 7 Brandy Bottles each containing 180 ml without seal and label. Hence, the case.

The learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioner would submit that the Petitioner is an innocent person and she has been falsely implicated in this case. He would also submit that the Petitioner has been suffering incarceration from 14.05.2023. Therefore, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioner.

The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) vehemently opposed stating that there are 23 previous cases pending against the Petitioner. Hence, he opposed for grant of bail to the Petitioner.

Heard the learned counsel for the Petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) and perused the materials available on record including the First Information Report.

Considering the above facts and circumstances and also considering the period of incarceration suffered by the Petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the Petitioner with certain conditions:

Accordingly, the Petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on her executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned XVIII Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet, Chennai, and on further conditions that:

(a) the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the learned Judicial / Metropolitan Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or voter identity card or driving license or PAN card or Bank pass Book with photo affixed and attested by Bank Manager to ensure their identity;

(b) the petitioner shall co-operate with the pending investigation and report before the respondent police, daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

(c) the petitioner shall not influence, threaten or coerce the witness either during investigation or trial;

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

(e) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the Investigation Officer shall exercise the discretion to cancel the bail by approaching the Court of the learned Judicial Magistrate/Trial Court.

(f) the learned Judicial Magistrate/Trial Court shall on application for cancellation of bail bond by the Investigation Officer shall pass appropriate orders as though bail granted by the learned Judicial Magistrate/Trial Judge himself/herself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji Vs. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; and;

(g) if the Accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A IPC.