T.V.Thamilselvi, J
1. The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 20.11.2022 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 8(c) r/w 20(b)(ii)(B) and 29(1) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Act, 1985, in Crime No.823 of 2022 on the file of the respondent Police, seeks bail.
2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was found in illegal possession of 1200 grams of Ganja. Hence the case.
3. The learned Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the contraband involved in this case is in-between quantity. He would also submit that without prejudice, the petitioner is prepared to deposit an amount of Rs.15,000/- as non- refundable deposit to any welfare scheme of the Government and he is prepared to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court and hence, he prays for grant of bail to the petitioner.
4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner was found to be in illegal possession of 1200 grams of Ganja. He further submitted that there are two previous cases, similar in nature, pending against the petitioner, however, he vehemently opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.
5.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the respondent and perused the materials available on record.
6.In order to curb the illegal activities of transporting illicit arrack, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) as non refundable deposit to "M/S The Tamil Nadu Juvenile Justice Fund, A/C No.358001000000671, IFSC: IOBA0001288, MICR: 600020073, Indian Overseas Bank, SME Kilpauk Branch, Address: No.20, Ormes Road, Kilpauk, Chennai 10", without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court.
7. 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.
8.Taking into consideration the facts of the case and the submissions made by the learned counsel and also taking note of the fact that the petitioner has prepared to deposit Rs.15,000/- to any welfare scheme of the Government, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.
9. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand Only) to the credit of M/S The Tamil Nadu Juvenile Justice Fund, A/C No.358001000000671, IFSC: IOBA0001288, MICR: 600020073, Indian Overseas Bank, SME Kilpauk Branch, Address: No.20, Ormes Road, Kilpauk, Chennai 10, and on such deposit and production of proof, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his 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 learned Principal Special Judge for EC/NDPS Act cases, Chennai 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 shall report before the respondent Police on alternative days at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two months and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation;
[c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;
[d] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;
[e] 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];
[f] If the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.
