Ashif Ali Kelassery v. The Senior Intelligence Officer,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 11/02/2026 PRESENT The HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Ashif Ali Kelassery ... Petitioner/Accused

Vs The Senior Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Tuticorin Regional Unit, Tuticorin - 628001. F.No. DRI/CZU/TTN/VIII/48/07/INT-01/2025. ... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : Mr.A.Ganesh

For Respondent : Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar Additional Public Prosecutor For Intervenor : Mr.S.Gurusamy

PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.483 of BNSS PRAYER :- To

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the

petitioner

on

bail

in F.No.DRI/CZU/TTN/VIII/48/07/INT-01/2025 on the file of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Tuticorin. ORDER : The Court made the following order :-

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 27.12.2025 for the offences punishable under Section 135 of Customs Act r/w. PECA Act, in F.No. DRI/CZU/TTN/VIII/48/07/INT-01/2025 on the file of the respondent, seeks bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner, along with the other accused, was in possession of 45,984 e-cigarettes along with the declared cargo of umbrellas. Hence, the complaint.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offences as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is in judicial custody from 27.12.2025. Hence, he seeks bail to the petitioner.

¶4The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the offences committed by the accused are serious in nature. Therefore, he vehemently opposed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

¶5The petitioner submitted he is neither the importer nor the recipient of the goods. Further the investigation is over and only show cause notice ought to be issued.

¶6Considering the nature of the offence and also considering the period of incarceration suffered by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions:

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on 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 the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, and on further conditions that :- [a] the petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhaar card or bank pass book to ensure their identity. [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders. According to the petitioner, the Department has recovered the petitioner's passport; if not, the petitioner is directed to surrender the same. The petitioner shall not travel abroad without the prior permission of the concerned Court. [c] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. [d] the petitioner shall not abscond 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 is 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 BNS. (S S Y J)

11.02.2026 jbr TO

¶1The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai.

¶2The Superintendent, Central Prison, Madurai.

¶3The Senior Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Tuticorin Regional Unit, Tuticorin - 628001.

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. S.SRIMATHY,J jbr ORDER IN CRL OP(MD) No.2541 of 2026 Date : 11/02/2026