Essakidurai v. The State Rep By, the Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

06.02.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 8(c) r/w 20(b)(ii)(C), 25 and 29(1) of Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances, 1985, in Crime No.163 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the accused persons were found in joint possession of 37.050 kilograms of ganja. Hence the case. Page2 of 4

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the occurrence took place on 05.02.2026 and the petitioner has been in judicial custody from the date of his arrest. It is further submitted that no recovery was effected from this petitioner and he has been implicated only under Section 29 of the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances, 1985. The learned counsel would further submit that the petitioner is a law-abiding citizen and has been falsely implicated in the case. He is ready to cooperate with the investigation and abide by any condition imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) opposed the bail application and submitted that there was money trail between the petitioner and the other accused persons. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) would also submit that the investigation is still pending and the quantity involved in the case is 37.050 kilograms of ganja, which is commercial quantity.

¶5I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side.

¶6From the submissions of the learned counsel on either side, this Court is of the view that the investigation is still in progress and the prosecution has specifically alleged the existence of money transactions between the petitioner Page3 of 4 and the co-accused. At this stage, it would be premature to go into the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner while the investigation is pending. Further, the case involves a commercial quantity of

37.050 kilograms of ganja and therefore, the rigour under Section 37 of the NDPS Act would apply. Hence, this Court does not find any merit in the bail petition.

¶7Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed. 12-06-2026 NSL To

¶1The Inspector of Police, Paradarami Police Station, Vellore.

¶2The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o14787oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. NSL CRLoOPoNo.o14787oofo2026 12-06-2026 Page4oofo4

Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 12-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Essakidurai ..Petitioner Vs State by Inspector of Police Paradarami Police Station, Vellore. Crime No.163 of 2025 ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to grant bail to the petitioner / Accused in Crime No.163 of 2025 pending on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner: Mr.R.Radha Pandian For Respondent: Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar Counsel for Government of Tamilnadu (Criminal Side)