Vadivelu vs The State Rep by The Inspector of Police

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 20.07.2026 for the alleged offence under Sections 4(1)(A) r/w 4(1-A)(ii) of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2024 in Crime No.152 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was found transporting 110 liters of illicit arrack in gunny bags in a motor cycle and also found in possession of 25 liters of arrack in 3 plasitc cans and also 40 liters of arrack in 50 liters of plastic can along with fermentation material for distilling arrack. Hence the case.

The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case and that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner was detained under the Prevention Detention Act by order dated 18.08.2026 and thereafter, the detention order ws revoked by the Advisory Board by order dated 29.09.2026. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioner.

Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the Respondent Police reiterated the prosecution case opposed the grant of bail to the Petitioner.

I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions and perused the materials available on record.

Considering the nature of the allegations, the huge quantity of illicit arrack seized, the long period of incarceration already undergone by the petitioner and the fact that the detention order was revoked by the Advisory Board, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail subject to certain conditions.

Accordingly, 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 District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Vedaranyam, and on further conditions that:

[a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the Application for Surety ship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of the identity proofs to ensure their identity;

[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders;

[c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

[d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

[e] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in acc with law as if the aforementioned 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)13 SCC 283];

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.