Lakshmanan v. The State of Tamilnadu Rep by

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 17/08/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.MURALI SHANKAR CRL OP(MD). No.16686 of 2026

¶1Lakshmanan

¶2Murugesan ... Petitioners/Accused No.1&2 Vs The State of Tamilnadu Rep By, The Inspector of Police, Alangulam Police Station, Tenkasi District. (Crime No.443 of 2026). ... Respondent/Complainant PRAYER :- For Bail in Crime No.443 of 2026 on the file of the Respondent Police. For Petitioners : C.Saravanakumar, Advocate. For Respondent : Mr.N.Balasubramanian, Counsel for State of TN (Crl.Side) ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners, who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 24.07.2026 for the offences punishable under Section 123 of BNS, 2023, and Section 24(1) of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act, 2003, in Crime No.443 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners and other accused were found in illegal possession of 69.200 kgs of tobacco products, which are banned by the State Government and sold the same. Hence, the complaint.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent and they have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. However, they would further submit that the petitioners, without prejudice to their rights, are ready to deposit the amount that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, seek bail.

¶4The learned Counsel for State of TN (Criminal side) appearing for the respondent Police would submit that property has been recovered and that the first petitioner has 1 previous case and the second petitioner is not having any bad antecedents. However, he opposed to grant bail to the petitioners.

¶5Considering the nature of the charges levelled against the petitioners and also the facts that the property has been recovered and that the petitioners are in judicial custody from 24.07.2026, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioners with certain conditions.

¶6Accordingly, the petitioners shall deposit a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) each to the credit of Government of Tamil Nadu, CMPRF in IOB, Secretariat Branch, Chennai-9 (Account No.11720 10000 00070, IFSC Code: IOBA0001172), without prejudice to their rights and contentions before the trial Court and produce the receipt/acknowledgment before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Sattur.

¶7On production of such receipt/acknowledgment, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/-(Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) each with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Judicial Magistrate Court, Alangulam, Tenkasi District, 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 Aadhaar card or bank pass book to ensure their identity. [b]the petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at

10.30 a.m., for a period of thirty (30) days and thereafter as and when required for interrogation. [c]the petitioners shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. [d]the petitioners 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 petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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 229-A IPC.

(K M S J)

17.08.2026 dss TO

1.The Judicial Magistrate Court, Alangulam, Tenkasi District.

2.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Alangulam Police Station, Tenkasi District.

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. K.MURALI SHANKAR,J dss ORDER IN CRL OP(MD) No.16686 of 2026 Date : 17/08/2026