Manikandan v. State Represented by the Sub Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offences under Sections 6(4) of the Tamil Nadu Scheduled commodities (Regulation of Distribution by Card System) Order, 1982, read with Section 7(1)(a)(ii) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, in Crime No. 184 of 2026, on the file of the Page2 of 4 respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that on 09.07.2026, at about 6.30 a.m., while the respondent police were conducting vehicle inspection near Amman Nagar on Kattumailur Road, Veppur Taluk, the petitioner was allegedly proceeding in the said vehicle from Kattumailur towards Veppur. On noticing the police officials, he allegedly stopped the vehicle and fled from the spot. Thereafter, the respondent police inspected the vehicle and allegedly found twenty-five orange-coloured nylon bags containing about 1,250 kilograms of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice. The respondent police have seized the vehicle bearing Registration No. TN 32 AL 1352 along with the alleged contraband and completed the seizure proceedings. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court and they are willing to cooperate with the investigation. Hence, he prayed for grant of anticipatory bail.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the case of the prosecution and vehemently opposed the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner that the petitioner has one previous criminal Page3 of 4 case of a similar nature.

5.Considering the fact that the case relates to the alleged transportation of 1,250 kilograms of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice and that the petitioner has one previous case of a similar nature, this Court is of the view that the petitioner's past conduct has to be taken into account. Further, offences involving diversion of PDS commodities have a serious impact on poor citizens for whose benefit such commodities are intended. Hence, this Court is not inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail, and the petition is dismissed. 20-07-2026 JRS To

1.The Sub Inspector of Police, CSCID Police Cuddalore, Cuddalore District. Crime No.184 of 2026.

¶2The Public Prosecutor, CRLoOPoNo.o19137oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. JRS CRLoOPoNo.o19137oofo2026 20-07-2026 Page4oofo4

Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 20-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Manikandan S/o. Annamalai, No.E1/NA, Mariyamman Kovil Street, Korakkavadai, Tittakudi, Cuddalore 606 303. ..Petitioner(s) Vs State Represented by The Sub Inspector of Police, CSCID Police Cuddalore, Cuddalore District. Crime No.184 of 2026. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Act, 2023, to enlarge bail to the petitioner in the event of arrest In connection with crime No.184 of 2026. on the file fo the respondent police. For Petitioner(s): M/S. M.Satheesh Kumar For Respondent(s): MR.N.PALANIVEL, GOVT.ADVOCATE (CRL.SIDE)