Karthikeyan @ Veppadaikarthi v. State

Crl.O.P.No.1027 of 2025IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDATED : 21.01.2025CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRACrl.O.P.No.1027 of 2025 Karthikeyan @ Veppadaikarthi... PetitionerVs.State: rep. by The Inspector of PoliceShevapet Police StationSalem District. (Crime No.720 of 2024)... RespondentPRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.720 of 2024 on the file of the respondent Police. For Petitioner: Mr.B.VasudevanFor Respondent: Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph SelvamGovernment Advocate (Crl. Side)

O R D E RPetition seeking bail in respect of Crime No.720 of 2024 registered for the offences punishable under Section 8(c) r/w.20(b)(ii)(A), 29(1) of NDPS Act, 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.1027 of 20251985, and Section 77 of JJ Act 2015 is on board for consideration.

The incarceration of the petitioner being from 05.12.2024 pleading innocence on the part of the petitioner and false implication in the case, learned counsel for the petitioner seeks indulgence of this Court. He also submits that the petitioner, without prejudice to the defence and contention, is ready and willing to deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/- to any welfare scheme of the Government or any other organization. He also submits that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this court.

The case of the prosecution, as put forth by the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police, opposing for grant of bail, is that the petitioner along with other accused was found to be in possession of 260 grams of ganja. He further submits that there are thirteen previous cases against the petitioner.

Considering the voluntary submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) to the credit of the "Tamil Nadu Advocate's Clerk's Association, High Court of Madras, Indian Bank, Madras High Court Branch, Account No.484026006, IFSC Code : [REDACTED]" without prejudice to the right of defence before the Trial Court and making it clear that it 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.1027 of 2025would not amount to admission of guilt.

Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) for the respondent Police and perused the materials available on record, and considering the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, this court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions and accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.3, Salem, 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, everyday at 06.30 p.m., until further orders;[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 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.1027 of 2025action 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 absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.21.01.2025sai4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.1027 of 2025A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.saiTo1.The Judicial Magistrate No.3, Salem 2. The Inspector of PoliceShevapet Police StationSalem District. 3. The Superintendent, Central Jail, Salem. 4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. Crl.O.P.No.1027 of 202521.01.20255/5